PRESS STATEMENT ON CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is the press statement on the Central African Republic by Security Council President Mamady Traoré (Guinea):

Members of the Security Council heard a report by the Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Tuliameni Kalomoh, on the situation in the Central African Republic.

Members of the Security Council strongly condemned the coup d’état on

15 March and the ensuing violence and pillaging.  They called for calm and respect for persons and property.

Members of the Security Council invited all the leaders of the Central African Republic to begin a genuine, political, all-inclusive dialogue immediately in order to restore legality, national cohesion and civil peace and ensure the early restoration of democracy.

Members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for the action of the Secretary-General’s Representative, General Lamine Cissé, as head of the United Nations Peace-Building Office in the Central African Republic (BONUCA).  They renewed their support for the efforts of the Central African Economic Community and Monetary Union (CEMAC) and the African Union and deplored the losses suffered by the regional force.

* *** *