Since the mid-1990s a cycle of political-military uprisings has destabilized and further impoverished the Central African Republic. Presidential elections held in May 2005 were an important step in a transitional process aimed at restoring constitutional order and achieving the political stability needed for renewed economic growth and development.

The United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in the Central African Republic (BONUCA), a field office of the Department of Political Affairs, has provided good offices and other assistance to the successful transition which, following peaceful elections in March and May 2005, resulted in the restoration of constitutional order. Headed by the Secretary-General’s Representative for the Central African Republic, General Lamine Cissé, BONUCA has worked with the rest of the U.N. family in the country to encourage dialogue and reconciliation, provide electoral assistance, and help the Central African Republic enact military reforms, implement human rights policies, train civilian police, and disarm, demobilize and reintegrate former fighters.

Though the constitutional order was restored in 2005, the overall situation in the Central African Republic remains volatile, marked by tensions among and within some political parties, a precarious socio-economic situation, deteriorating humanitarian conditions and insecurity in the north of the country. BONUCA has been working to defuse tensions and to help stabilize the internal situation and reduce cross-borders insecurity.  The Mission has also continued to promote respect for human rights and the rule of law, and to assist in the development of professional media in the country.