Ban hopes Central African Republic elections will advance stability

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced the hope today that Central African Republic’s (CAR) delayed presidential and legislative elections, slated for Sunday, will help lay the foundation for stability and development in a country riven by fighting.

“It is important that these elections are credible, transparent and inclusive and that the results are respected by all candidates and parties in accordance with the code of conduct,” a statement issued by Mr. Ban’s spokesman said, commending all the candidates and parties for participating in a peaceful campaign process.

Last month, the Security Council voiced serious concern over the security situation in CAR, which has seen significant ethnic conflict in its north, an overflow of violence from neighbouring Chad and Sudan’s war-torn Darfur region, and attacks in the east from the brutal rebel Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

It acknowledged progress made so far in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) of former combatants, calling on “all politico-military groups to take the necessary measures for a transparent and accountable completion” of the process and on the Government to quickly implement a national reintegration strategy for former fighters with the transparent funding “critical to the programme’s long-term success.”

It also stressed the need for the Government to revive efforts to reform the security sector and address widespread impunity, and commended regional States for their increased cooperation in dealing with the LRA threat.

Mr. Ban’s Special Representative for CAR, Sahle Work-Zewde, warned the Council that despite relative stability in the capital, Bangui, and the south-western region, eastern areas remained prone to persistent acts of banditry, attacks by foreign armed groups, including the LRA, and local politico-military factions that are not part of the peace process.

The UN peacebuilding office in CAR (BINUCA) has been assisting with reconciliation, the DDR process, electoral and other efforts to restore state authority throughout the country, security sector reform and the promotion of the rule of law and respect of human rights.

Article source: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=37350&Cr=central+african&Cr1=