UN calls on CAR to address electoral issues

UNITED NATIONS - The UN Security Council urged all parties in the Central African Republic (CAR) to take the "necessary measures" to address electoral issues so that the region can work towards national reconciliation, said a Council's press statement issued here Thursday.

In a statement released by the council's president, Peter Wittig, German ambassador to the UN, whose country holds the rotating presidency for July, the 15-member Council stressed the need for "all parties to take firm commitments" and work towards national reconciliation.

"The members of the Council encourage the government to take the necessary measures to address irregularities experienced in the electoral process in order to ensure the improved conduct of the municipal and subsequent elections," said the press statement.

After having been postponed several times, a presidential and parliamentary election was held in the CAR on Jan 23, 2011. CAR President Francois Bozize was reelected to a second term.

The press statement also highlighted the "dire humanitarian situation" in the region, calling on all parties to "respect their obligations under the international humanitarian law".

"They underline the importance of continuing to ensure the security of refugees, internal displaced persons and humanitarian personnel before a political solution to security concerns in the region can make their voluntary return possible," said the statement.

The CAR is a landlocked country, bordering Chad in the north, Sudan in the east, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo in the south and Cameroon in the west.

The country has witnessed a series of coups and revolts since its independence from France in 1960. Despite its rich resources of timber, gold, diamond and uranium, the country remains one of the poorest in the world as a result of instability.