Military

28 October 2004 – The Security Council today called on the international community to help Central African Republic (CAR) prepare for its November constitutional referendum and January elections, and it welcomed Secretary-General Kofi Annan's intention to renew the mandate of the United Nations peace-building office there.

The statement, read by Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry of Britain, which holds the rotating Council presidency, commended the Central African leadership at all levels for reaching a consensus "which attests to their determination to continue the transition process to the end."

"The Security Council encourages the Central Africans to continue their efforts to ensure the success of the constitutional referendum in November and the satisfactory organization of free, transparent and democratic presidential and legislative elections in January 2005," Ambassador Jones Parry said.

In August the UN Peace-Building Office in the CAR (BONUCA) launched a nationwide "awareness campaign" to prepare for the presidential and legislative elections in January that are aimed at ending years of instability and violence in the country.

The Council's statement paid tribute to the UN system in the CAR, particularly the Secretary-General's Representative, Gen. Lamine Cissé, for his work as the head of BONUCA.

"The Security Council is pleased that the Secretary-General intends to renew the BONUCA mandate until 31 December 2005," the statement added.