Delayed Central African Republic local elections will boost quest to decentralize power: UN envoy

 

The long-delayed Central African Republic (CAR) local elections, now scheduled to be conducted in September, will deepen efforts to decentralize power and expand political space, according to Mankeur Ndiaye, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for the country and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

Ndiaye however notified the Security Council on Tuesday that the security situation in the conflict-dogged country remains worrying.

He noted that in some parts of the country, military operations are still underway against armed groups, notably the Coalition of Patriots for Change.

In turn, the militia groups are carrying out reprisals against both the national security forces and civilians.

President Faustin-Archange Touadera in October declared a unilateral cessation of fighting against armed groups, saying he hoped it would lead to peaceful dialogue.

The September date for the local elections was announced in January by the country’s electoral body.

As focus turns to the vote, the Secretary-General’s representative in the CAR urged the government to “deploy all possible efforts” to calm the political climate.

In the over three decades the country has gone without holding local elections, the government has been appointing officials with the de facto power of a mayor.

According to AFP, the estimated $15 million (13.23 million euro) cost of staging the vote will be borne mainly by international donors, notably the European Union.