AU SEEKS HELP FOR CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 000141 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/C, AF/RSA. LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS. E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KPKO CT AU SUBJECT: AU SEEKS HELP FOR CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC ¶1. This is an action request. Please see paragraph 5. ¶2. Summary: The African Union (AU) is soliciting partner assistance to support the Multinational Force of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (FOMUC) and the Central African Republic (CAR) government. This request follows an AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) decision of December 29, which expressed concern about the persistence of insecurity in northern CAR and the resulting displacement of people towards the south of Chad. End summary. -------------- AU WANTS TO BOLSTER CAR, SEEKS HELP -------------- ¶3. On January 13, post received a letter from the AU requesting that partners provide "any assistance they could render to the CAR" further to paragraphs five and six of the December 29 PSC decision on the situation in the Central African Republic. The AU also asks that partners inform the AU of any steps taken in that respect. ¶4. Text of paragraphs five and six of the PSC communique (the full communique and accompanying report was emailed to AF/RSA and AF/C): -- (The PSC) appeals to Member States and the Partners of the AU to provide FOMUC with the necessary means to strengthen its capacity and facilitate the smooth execution of its mandate, to contribute to the restructuring of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA),including the rehabilitation and building of the necessary infrastructures, and to support the concerned neighbouring countries in their efforts to address transboundary insecurity. To that end, Council requests the Commission, in close cooperation with the Executive Secretariat of CEMAC and the United Nations, to contribute to SIPDIS the sensitisation of the international community and to actively involve itself in the on-going initiatives of the neighbouring countries to address the prevailing insecurity; -- Reiterates its appeal to all the bilateral and multilateral partners of the CAR and to the Member States to provide to the CAR all the necessary economic and financial assistance, including direct budgetary support, taking into account the particularly difficult situation in the CAR. In that regard, Council encourages the Chairperson of the Commission, in collaboration with the relevant institutions, including the African Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA),to send a multi-disciplinary mission of expert to assess the situation and make recommendations on the assistance which the Member States and the AU could give to the CAR, within the framework of a comprehensive post-conflict reconstruction programme, covering both socio-economic and security aspects as well as other matters. In this respect, Council stresses the important role that could be played by the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC). ¶5. Action Request: Post requests Washington feedback pursuant to the AU's request. End action request. HUDDLESTON