STATEMENT BY THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC CONFIGURATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS PEACEBUILDING COMMISSION
BANGUI, Central African Republic, May 30, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The configuration received an in-depth briefing from Ms. Margaret Vogt, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA).
Members of the configuration express deep concern about the deterioration of the situation in the Central African Republic, reflected in the lack of public safety and security, human rights violations and abuses, increased sexual violence, recruitment of child soldiers and severe humanitarian conditions. They also note the risk of the instability in Central African Republic spreading to the rest of the sub-region. In this context, they welcome the efforts by Heads of State and Governments of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), with the support of the African Union, in developing a political framework and roadmap for resolving the political crisis in Central African Republic through the adoption of the communiqués at their summits in Libreville, Ndjamena and Brazzaville.
The configuration emphasises the need to ensure that the transition process is inclusive, in particular within the National Transitional Council and its Bureau, following the various accords reached under the auspices of ECCAS. The configuration underlines that restoring rule of law and re-establishing constitutional order are the immediate priorities which condition further progress on the transition process and delivery of assistance to alleviate humanitarian and socio-economic conditions in the Central Africa Republic. In particular, the configuration calls for international support for the transition and for urgent assistance to ensure the restoration of public safety and security, thus allowing the revitalisation of economic and social livelihoods.
The configuration calls upon the international community to provide technical and financial support to assist the transitional authorities in refining and implementing the roadmap for the restoration of constitutional order in CAR. The configuration also suggests the possibility of conducting a joint needs assessment mission by the United Nations, the European Union and the World Bank, as soon as the security situation in the country permits.
Members of the configuration recognise the need for the Peacebuilding Commission to play a major role in political accompaniment and mobilising international support for the post conflict peacebuilding efforts in the Central African Republic and to elect a Chair of the configuration as soon as possible.
The members of the configuration express their appreciation to and support for the United Nations, including the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and her team for the efforts they have made in supporting the peace process during this difficult period in the Central African Republic.