At Meeting of International Contact Group on Central African Republic, Top United Nations Political Official Conveys Call for Urgent Action to Tackle Crisis
“We must now translate awareness and concern into effective action to ensure that the crisis is addressed in all its dimensions — security, political, human rights and humanitarian,” the Secretary-General said in a statement delivered by Mr. Feltman on his behalf to the International Contact Group.
The meeting in Bangui of the International Contact Group on the Central African Republic focused on reviewing progress in returning to constitutional order and steps to establish peace and security in the country. The Contact Group provides the political accompaniment by the wider international community to the transition process in the Central African Republic. It brings together Governments, regional and international organizations, the World Bank and the African Development Bank, and was established following the overthrow of the country’s Government in March.
“Sparing the people of the Central African Republic more suffering and insecurity must be our collective goal. There is a chance to work together to reverse the downward spiral in the CAR and to set the country on a path toward peace and stability. Time is of the essence. We cannot let the people of the CAR down at this moment of pressing need,” the Secretary-General added in his statement.
On the margins of the meeting, Under-Secretary-General Feltman held talks with the country’s transitional authorities, including the Head of State of the Transition and the Prime Minister, in which he conveyed United Nations concerns and its commitment to supporting the people and transitional authorities in overcoming the crisis and stabilizing the country. He underscored the Secretary-General’s concerns about the deteriorating security, human rights and humanitarian situations in the country, and the responsibility of the transitional authorities to put an end to abuses and provide security for the population. On the political track, he noted progress in establishing key transitional institutions while stressing the need to fully comply with the transitional charter, including the necessary steps towards the holding of elections within 18 months of the swearing-in of the Head of States of the Transition in August 2013.
Mr. Feltman also met with Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of Congo and Economic Community of Central African States Mediator for the crisis in the Central African Republic. He also met with the African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security, the Secretary-General of the Economic Community of Central African States, and the leadership and staff of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the country, BINUCA.
For more information, contact: Jared Kotler, Department of Political Affairs, e-mail: kotler@un.org, mobile: +1 646 496 6075, tel.: +1 917 367 5264.
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For information media • not an official record