New York, USA, February 22, 2023-/African Media Agency(AMA)/The upcoming local elections are an “important opportunity” to advance the peace and political process in the Central African Republic (CAR), the head of the UN mission in the country, MINUSCA, to the Security Council on Tuesday.
Special Representative Valentine Rugwabiza reported on the Government’s recent progress, including election preparations and security sector reforms.
Political engagement with the leaders of armed groups remains important and has begun to produce modest results, he added, referring to the dissolution of four armed groups that were signatories to the February 2019 Peace Agreement.
Commendable measures
CAR authorities are also exploring options to integrate ex-combatants into security forces, among other developments.
“Commendable steps have been taken, and more are on the horizon,” Ms Rugwabiza said, speaking via video conference. “At the same time, there is still an opportunity to further advance the implementation of the peace and political process and maintain its benefits.”
He said local elections – the first to be held since 1988 – could strengthen local government, develop decentralization of services, and provide opportunities to include women, youth, and other marginalized groups.
A challenge to overcome
Furthermore, CAR authorities are working to create an enabling environment for voting, including developing the legal framework and updating the electoral code to encourage women’s participation.
However, acute financial shortages and other obstacles will be there, he warned, calling for the support of the international community.
“The elections will also be held in a challenging security environment, and we must recognize that armed groups can be spoilers,” Rugwabiza told the Council. “Another challenge is to make sure that elected officials have the ability to do their job and do it normally.”
A new pattern in attack
Turning to security, he said that CAR experienced stability and calm during the rainy season, while the dry season saw increased activities and attacks by armed groups.
Although this is unfortunately a normal pattern of conflict in the country, new developments such as the use of explosive devices and drones have a negative impact on the population, security forces, humanitarians, and UN peacekeepers.
“The rise of tension on the CAR border has highlighted the regional dimension of the Central African security crisis, especially in the transhumance routes and resource-rich areas in the north-west, north-east, and center-south which are hot spots of conflict,” he added.
Stemming the tide of rebel activities in this region requires joint action by countries and neighbors, and increased sub-regional mobilization and cooperation, he said.
Hunger is on the rise
As for the humanitarian situation in CAR keep getting worse.
The UN World Food Program (WFP) projects that the percentage of people suffering from acute food insecurity will rise to almost 50 percent this year, from 44 percent in 2022, he said.
A $465 million appeal was launched this month aimed at mobilizing funds for life-saving interventions, and Ms. Rugwabiza urged the country to support.
In closing, the MINUSCA chief urged partners to use the “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” presented by local elections to help CAR build the foundations for local governance and accelerate security sector reforms.
Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of of A NEWS.
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