Brussels, 14/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - The European Union has congratulated the new President of the Central African Republic, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who has been democratically elected to preside over the whole of the country, and calls on all parties to recognise the legitimacy of the newly-elected authorities.
The conclusions of the Council of the EU, which were adopted without debate on the sidelines of the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Ministers of the EU in Brussels on Monday 14 March, relay this message and stress the importance of finalising the electoral cycle, with the organisation of the second round of general elections within the stated time, to make “a decisive step towards the completion of transition in the country”.
Stressing the scale of the challenges to be faced to achieve national reconciliation and the reconstruction of the country, the EU states that it stands ready to support the authorities and help them to meet these challenges. The Council lists these challenges as including the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of members of armed groups, the consolidation of the State and the reform of the security sector, the fight against impunity and the setting in place of an interim justice system, restoring the rule of law and social cohesion, the provision of basic social services, kick-starting the economy and creating employment opportunities, the responsible and sustainable use of natural resources and setting in place the conditions for refugees and displaced persons to return to their community of origin.
Whilst noting the progress made in the security situation, “the EU remains concerned at the humanitarian system in CAR”, stresses the Council, which calls upon the international community to continue to respond to the emergency humanitarian situation and stresses the need for budgetary support to the government to continue, both from the EU and the international community.
Towards a CSDP military training mission. On Monday, the Council also approved a crisis management plan for a military training mission, of an initial duration of two years, aiming to put together, train and advise the Central African Armed Forces (known by the French acronym, FACA) in the general framework of the reform of the security sector in CAR, in order to “transform FACA into a professional, democratically responsible armed force which is representative of the people who make up the nation”. This Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) military mission will be based in Bangui to follow up the European strategic advisory mission, EUMAM RCA. The Council calls upon the European External Action Service (EEAS) to continue the operational planning work to allow this CDSP mission to be set in place and deployed. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)