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Security in Central African Republic ‘precarious'

Published: Wed 11 Jan 2006 03:19 PM
Security situation in Central African Republic still ‘precarious,’ Annan says
9 January 2006 – The security situation in the Central African Republic, which is rebuilding after a civil war, remains “precarious” and international support for the country is crucial to consolidating stability, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a report to the Security Council released today.
Mr. Annan also said that despite the fact that “the overall human rights situation was slowly improving,” flagrant violations still occurred.
Last month, Mr. Annan extended the mandate of the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in the Central African Republic (BONUCA) until the end of 2006 at the request of the Government. And in today’s report, the Secretary-General repeated the need for the international community to remain engaged in the country.
“The immensity of the task to be accomplished is beyond the capacity of the Central African Republic alone, which is still recovering from the effects of the politico-military crises and social tensions it has so recently undergone,” the Secretary-General said.
“Armed gangs continue to interfere with agricultural and commercial activities and precipitate significant population displacements towards Chad and Cameroon,” Mr. Annan added.
The report also said the crisis in Darfur, in neighbouring Sudan, had made “the security situation all the more worrisome” in the Central African Republic, while developments in other African countries could also have an impact.
“If the disturbing military and humanitarian developments in some neighbouring countries should escalate they might also destabilize the Central African Republic, given its geographical position in central Africa,” Mr. Annan warned.

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