Global Policy Forum

Central African Republic: Annan Warns

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UN Integrated Regional Information
January 16, 2001

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has highlighted a growing crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR), due to mounting dissatisfaction by civil servants and heightened tension between the government and opposition.


In a report to the Security Council on Monday, Annan described the situation in the country as explosive. President Ange-Felix Patasse has refused to enter into dialogue with the opposition, claiming he cannot talk to political opponents who are demanding his resignation, although Annan has urged him to meet key players. Statements by the opposition and youth organisations have accused the president of "corruption, chaos, nepotism and tribalism".

Over the past few months, civil servants have held massive demonstrations and strikes demanding pay arrears, in some cases up to 30 months. Regional analysts say the opposition has taken advantage of the disquiet to try and hasten Patasse's departure. Recently, an anonymous document was circulated calling on the country's armed forces to "rise up and take power". In 1996-97, the CAR capital, Bangui, was hit by a series of army mutinies leading to the establishment of the UN Mission in the CAR (MINURCA) in April 1998.

After MINURCA's mandate expired last February due to an improvement in the situation, hopes were high for a return to peace and security in the country. At the time, Annan said MINURCA had helped to create conditions conducive to the successful holding of national elections, the restructuring of the security forces, the training of police and gendarmes and the launching of economic and social reforms. Patasse was re-elected president in 1999, amid opposition claims of vote-rigging. A UN Peace-Building Support Office (BONUCA) took over from MINURCA, whose dismantling was regarded as premature by some opposition parties.

In his report to the Security Council on Monday, Annan warned that the current unrest and lack of dialogue between the country's political stakeholders "are a serious obstacle to the sustainability of the democratic institutions established barely a year ago". Furthermore, the economic situation - exacerbated by the war in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the oil crisis - had become "extremely critical".

"All indications are that in the absence of viable solutions and action by the government to pay wages and salaries, the resentment of the civil servants will intensify," Annan added.

The DRC conflict in particular, which has brought thousands of refugees to CAR, was "compromising the progress made towards the consolidation of the fragile peace stability in the country," Annan concluded. He stressed that CAR's expectations of the international community and the United Nations were "urgent and numerous". But, he added, it was up to the Central Africans themselves to "summon the political will and work towards national reconciliation".

"The international community has invested much in the return of peace to the Central African Republic," Annan noted. "I hope that it does not relax its efforts now lest the tangible results it has helped bring about be lost, and the Central African Republic relapses into civil strife."


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