Bangui, 28 April 2015 – “I am leaving the Central African Republic serene and reasonably optimistic”, said on Tuesday in Bangui the Under Secretary-General for the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous, during a press conference closing a four-day visit to the country.
At the end of his third visit, after April and September 2014, and following the ceremony marking the achievement of the full operational capability of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), Mr. Ladsous said that he was pleased with the positive developments of the situation.
He recalled that it was a time to assess the achievements of the Mission as the renewal of its mandate by the United Nations Security Council was expected on the same day. He praised the work done by MINUSCA, only six months after its establishment. While acknowledging that the security situation of the nation remains volatile, he expressed the hope that it might improve especially with the announced arrival of combat helicopters and drones. Mr. Ladsous reiterated in addition the determination of the Mission to adequately face the security challenges at hand. “The protection of civilians improved continuously because we have developed targeted and coordinated actions” he added.
On the political and transitional process, Hervé Ladsous hopes that the National Bangui Forum will leave up to expectations. “This momentous event will launch major reforms for the Central African people and will allow the Transition to transfer to a democratically elected regime”.
According to Mr. Ladsous, “The Bangui Forum followed by inclusive and credible elections will pave the way for a successful Transition”. While enjoying a full capability complemented by the deployment of additional capabilities authorized by the Security Council, MINUSCA has developed an operational plan to support the national authorities to ensure the timely and secure conduct of the elections as a matter of urgency and if possible by August 2015. In this regard, Mr. Ladsous noted that the mobilization of the international community around the Central African Republic “reflects an unity of purpose to get the country out of long years of crisis and to address the root causes of the conflict”.