The day after the proclamation of the provisional results of the presidential and legislative elections of 27 December in the Central African Republic (CAR), which resulted in the victory of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, representatives of the EU, the African Union, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and the United Nations “took note” of these results.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday 5 January by the European External Action Service, they recalled that it will be up to the Constitutional Court to proclaim the final results and to all political actors to respect the Court’s decisions.
The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, the African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security, Smaïl Chergui, the President of the ECCAS Commission, Gilberto Da Piedade Veríssimo, and the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, reiterated their appeal to all political actors to settle any electoral disputes peacefully and in accordance with the laws and Constitution of the country. They called on the government and the entire political class to prioritise an inclusive, open, constructive, and credible political dialogue to promote national stability.
They strongly condemned speeches and communiqués containing disinformation, hatred, and incitement to violence, including against international personnel, as well as violence perpetrated by certain armed groups aimed at undermining the electoral process. In this regard, they called on the Central African authorities to open investigations to bring to justice those responsible for and instigating such deadly violence and strongly condemned the attacks against MINUSCA.
They also condemned the violations by some armed groups of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation and urged all signatory parties to fully honour their commitments, in particular the cessation of hostilities. They invited them to relaunch the peace process.
They reaffirmed their continued solidarity and support for the Central African people. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)