Special Representative Abdoulaye Bathily arrives in the CAR

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Central Africa and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), Abdoulaye Bathily, arrived in Bangui on 15 July to participate in preparations for the Brazzaville Forum, as member of the International Mediation for the crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR).

He was met on arrival by Lt-General (rtd) Babacar Gaye, SRSG for the CAR and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the CAR (MINUSCA). In his preliminary remarks, SRSG Bathily stated as follows: "I have come here to meet with the various Central African socio-political stakeholders to highlight the continued importance that the United Nations places on the need to end the crisis in the CAR. The Brazzaville Forum is an important step forward to allow parties to talk to each other and take relevant decisions to initiate the national reconciliation process. "

"I would like to emphasize that this is indeed a first step in the dialogue process which, as everyone knows, and as experienced elsewhere in Africa, should be done amongst the Central Africans and take place here, in the CAR, "said Abdoulaye Bathily.

Special Representative Bathily also stressed that "it is useful, in this kind of difficult experiences in a country, that national actors talk to each other, but also that international actors support this process." He praised the efforts of the countries of the region and reiterated that the United Nations will continue to support the CAR, in particular through MINUSCA.

Abdoulaye Bathily encouraged "the spirit that has been observed lately", hoping that the Brazzaville Forum will be held in such conditions that it gives a new impetus to this process that has already started.

Upon arrival in the CAR capital, Special Representative Abdoulaye Bathily participated in the meeting of 'Group of Eight (8)' with political parties, along with SRSG Babacar Gaye. Last week, in Brazzaville, the two Special Representatives participated with several other national and international actors in the preparatory meeting of the national reconciliation forum scheduled from 21 to 23 July in Brazzaville.
 

Sources : MINUSCA/UNOCA