SECRETARY-GENERAL STRESSES THAT UN REMAINS FULLY COMMITTED TO ASSISTING CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC DURING POST-CONFLICT PEACE-BUILDING PHASE

Press Release
SG/SM/7190
AFR/190

SECRETARY-GENERAL STRESSES THAT UN REMAINS FULLY COMMITTED TO ASSISTING CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC DURING POST-CONFLICT PEACE-BUILDING PHASE

Following is the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the occasion of the investiture of Ange-Felix Patasse as President of the Central African Republic, which was delivered today in Bangui on his behalf by Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hedi Annabi:

Allow me to extend, on behalf of the United Nations, my congratulations to you on your inauguration as President of the Central African Republic following your re- election by a majority of the vote in the first round of the elections held on 19 September.

Allow me also to congratulate the people of the Central African Republic on the patient and peaceful manner in which they participated in the elections, thereby demonstrating their commitment to peace, national reconciliation and economic development.

These elections would not have been possible without the strong support of the international community. In this regard, allow me to thank the Governments of Canada, China, Egypt, France, Gabon, Japan, Morocco, Nigeria, the United States, as well as the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Allow me also to thank my Special Representative, Oluyemi Adeniji, for his valuable contribution, as well as all civilian and military personnel of the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCA), who worked tirelessly in close collaboration with the Commission Electorale Mixte and Independent (CEMI) to ensure that the elections were organized and held in an optimal manner. I am gratified that United Nations, national and international observers found the elections to be peaceful, credible and transparent.

As a result, the Central African Republic can now join the growing number of countries on the African continent where democracy and stability are taking root. It is now up to the Government and Opposition to work together, in the spirit of the Bangui Agreements and national reconciliation, to consolidate the gains made on the road to democracy and to take the necessary steps towards major reforms and sustainable development.

The international community, through bilateral assistance, the Inter-African Mission to Monitor the Implementation of the Bangui Agreements (MISAB) and the United Nations, has provided a unique window of opportunity for the Central African Republic

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to achieve much-needed reform. In this regard, I should also mention the crucial role played by regional leaders in keeping the process on track. However, the time has now come for United Nations peacekeeping forces to gradually hand over their responsibilities to the Central African authorities. It is time, therefore, for Central Africans to put behind them the grievances and rhetoric of the electoral campaign and look ahead to an important new chapter in their history.

Obviously, much remains to be done: the restructuring of the armed forces; the demobilization and reintegration of solders; the disposal of weapons; economic and social reform; the restoration of confidence of foreign investors; and the transfer of MINURCA's responsibilities for security in Bangui to local security and law enforcement forces. All these issues require urgent attention and it is hoped that the new Government and the National Assembly will address them expeditiously.

Let me stress, however, that the United Nations will not abandon the Central African Republic as it faces these challenges. I have proposed that the mandate of MINURCA be extended for another three months, to be finally completed in February 2000. Moreover, the United Nations remains fully committed to assisting the Central African Republic during the post-conflict peace-building phase, in close cooperation with the Bretton Woods Institutions. It is also envisaged that proposals will soon be submitted following due consultations with the Government with regard to the establishment of a political office in the Central African Republic, which would assist the Government in promoting national reconciliation and executing the necessary reforms.

Again, allow me to convey to you, Mr. President, my sincere congratulations on your re-election, and my very best wishes to you and the people of the Central African Republic as your country undertakes the next stage of its journey.

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