UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER
Central African Republic: Annan Says Reforms Must Go Further

Central African Republic: Annan Says Reforms Must Go Further

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Annan says reforms must go further

NAIROBI, 19 April (IRIN) - The Central African Republic has made some moves towards reform but progress has been slow and further action is urgently required, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan reported on Monday.

On the plus side, a decree by the government on the creation of the Mixed and Independent Electoral Commission (CEMI) has prepared the ground for presidential elections scheduled for August/September, according to the Secretary-General's report on the UN Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCA).

He also said that "the imminent adoption of the laws on restructuring the armed forces is a major step in the right direction".

However, "further action is urgently required for the Government to fully demonstrate adherence to the commitments made to the Secretary-General by President Patassé", the report noted. For instance, the late start in the inauguration of the electoral commission had delayed decisions regarding funding, revision of the electoral register, practical and logistical preparations and even the date of polling.

The Secretary-General said that although the situation remained calm and the country was "an island of relative stability" in the region, intense distrust persisted among the country's political leaders and the economic and social situation remained precarious.

The report renewed the Secretary-General's appeal to donors to contribute to the restructuring of the armed forces in the Central African Republic, calling it "an important process" which would help stabilise the security situation in the country and the sub-region as a whole.

He also appealed for contributions to support the Central African police force, which is receiving training under the MINURCA civilian police component (CIVPOL).

The report on MINURCA is to be addressed by the UN Security Council on Wednesday (21 April).

[ENDS]

Date: Mon, 19 Apr 1999 17:08:10 +0300 (EAT) From: IRIN - Central and Eastern Africa <irin@ocha.unon.org> Subject: CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Annan says reforms must go further [19990419]

Editor: Dr. Ali B. Ali-Dinar, Ph.D

Previous Menu Home Page What's New Search Country Specific