Central African Republic
Need for quick intervention in Central African Republic

afrol News, 8 November - While the Central African Republic is returning to tranquillity after a recent attempted coup d'état was adverted, there are now calls to quickly deploying international troops in the country. The deployment was to safeguard stability in the country plagued by coup attempts.

Members of the United Nations Security Council today called for the quick deployment of an international force to the country.

In a statement to the press following closed-door consultations, Ambassador Zhang Yishan of China, which currently holds the Security Council's rotating presidency, stressed the need to "implement without delay" steps aimed at bringing stability to the Central African Republic which were outlined by the region's leaders at a summit meeting held in October.

In the statement, the Security Council "appealed for the prompt deployment to the Central African Republic of an effective and well-equipped International Observation Force (FIO), as decided at the summit and accepted by the authorities of the Central African Republic," Ambassador Zhang said, urging all countries to fully support States contributing troops to that effort.

The Council's members also expressed their willingness to strengthen the UN Peace-building Support Office in the Central African Republic (BONUCA), particularly in such areas as human rights monitoring, restructuring of the Central African armed forces and the implementation of an effective arms-collection programme. The BONUCA operation was in the process of being phased out.

The statement also clearly condemned the recent attempt to seize power by force in the country. The coup attempt was headed by the Central African Republic's former Chief of Staff, General Francois Bozize, who entered into the country together with a large number of rebel soldiers from his exile in Chad. 

General Bozize is a well-known trouble-maker in the Central African Republic. After continuous pressure against the civilian government of President Ange-Felix Patassé, including the alleged participation in a failed May 2001 coup, the army chief was sacked one year ago. Continued threats by the General led to his exile in Chad - where he only seems to have gathered strength to make a violent comeback. He is now reported to be in France.

The government of the Central African Republic on several occasions has claimed that Chad had supported Mr Bozize's coup attempt, something which is strongly denied by the Chadian government. Ambassador Zhang said that the Security Council encouraged the two neighbour states "to continue their efforts to improve relations between them," as the rhetoric had become louder the last days.

- Members of the Security Council note that the fundamental problems in the Central African Republic remain grounded in economic deprivation, Ambassador Zhang said. "They urge the international community, development partners and relevant financial institutions to continue to work with the government of the Central African Republic to alleviate these problems."

This acknowledgement, however sincere it was presented by the Ambassador, however has been made at each occasion when there has been political instability in the country. Little has however happened in practical terms and the Central African economy remains in ruins.

Sources: Based on UN sources and afrol archives

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