Highlights

• Kabo-Moyenne Sido road controlled by FACA
• Call for MINURCAT reinforcements
• BBC back on FM in Bangui

Background and security

FACA bases on Kabo-Moyenne Sido road
On Wednesday the 22nd of April, the Central African armed forces (FACA) attacked the positions of the Front Démocratique du Peuple Centrafricain (FDPC, Democratic Front of the Central African People) of Abdoulaye Miskine on the Kabo-Moyenne Sido road. By the time fighting had ended, the FACA had gained control of the road and set up several bases.

United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) flights to Kabo were suspended as a result although humanitarian missions resumed within a few days after the fighting ended.

The situation is still precarious in the area, with 3,000 residents of Kabo town now living in the bush. Between 2,000 and 3,000 people who were living along the road at the centre of the fighting have also fled from their homes into the bush.

MINURCAT calls for reinforcements
The Mission des Nations Unies en République Centrafricaine et au Tchad (MINURCAT, the UN Mission to Chad and CAR) is made up of 2,425 soldiers as of the 22nd of April. Reinforcements are needed, according to Edmond Mullet, Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations. MINURCAT is supposed to have had a gradual increase in its force from 2,085 soldiers on the 15th of March to 3,845 at the end of June in order to be at full operation with 5,250 soldiers by the end of 2009.

Addressing the members of the UN Security Council, Mr Mullet stated that «we are unfortunately obliged, at the present moment, to proceed with certain re-adjustments and will only reach the ceiling of 5,200 soldiers if member states make military helicopters and maintenance facilities available. ».

Fernand Poukré-Kono, CAR’s permanent representative at the Security Council added, « unless these problems are resolved, there will be a deterioration in the humanitarian situation in the region.»

News

Strengthening the media for the elections
A 3 day workshop on media and the elections started on the 22nd of April, bringing together electoral commissions and media representatives from various countries in the central African region.

The aim of the workshop was to strengthen the role of the media in the democratic process in the region, where several countries are heading towards the urns : Congo, Angola, Equitorial guinea and Burundi in 2009, CAR in 2010 and Cameroon in 2011.

A fortnight without newspapers
Newspaper publishing has been suspended for 2 weeks from the 21st of April in a decision taken by members of CAR’s independent editor’s group, the Groupement des Editeurs de Presse Indépendante de Centrafrique (GEPIC).

The decision was taken in solidarity with the Hirondelle newspaper which was suspended for 2 weeks from the 20th of April by the High Council for Communication (HCC) for “publication of a document calling for sedition in CAR’s armed forces, the FACA”.

BBC on FM in Bangui
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) launched their service on 90.2 FM in Bangui on the 24th of April, the third international broadcaster here after Africa N°1 and Radio France Internationale (RFI).

During the course of the launch day in Bangui there were cultural shows, special workshops for local broadcasters as well as programmes dedicated to the Central African Republic.

Minister for Communication Cyriaque Gonda said of the day « the real opening up of a country to the world for peace, stability and the sustainable development of its people is truly proved by coverage of media of such high reputation as the BBC».

BBC Afrique director Razvan Scortea added «our objective is go beyond the headlines and present the full picture of life in this dynamic yet little known country. ».

ACLV: for peace, against violence
The Association Centrafricaine pour la Lutte Contre la Violence (ACLV, the Central African Association for Combatting Violence) held its congress on the 22nd and 23rd of April, setting up a new office and re-lauching its activities.

The association has identified the zone of the north as a security area where they aim to develop activities.

The conference opening was attended by the Minister for the Interior Elie Ouéfio, the Central African Human Rights League, (LCDH), the Human Rights Observatory and the Justice and Peace Commission.

The association works for the promotion of peace and combats all forms of violence. It’s made up of community leaders and religious (Christian and Muslim) leaders and strives to promote human rights, citizenship training and the fight against HIV/ Aids.

The association ACLV came into being at the height of the politico-military crisis, with the support of partners such as the Chadian Assocation against Violence, NGOs Pain Pour le Monde and Cordaid.

It has trained more than 400 community mediators at Bangui, Bossangoa, Boali and Yaloké, using sport to raise awareness about all forms of violence amongst the peulh minority as well as other communities

For more information: Pasteur Louis Oguéré, ACLV | (236) 75 50 65 18 | aclv_siriri@yahoo.fr

Health

25th of April: World Malaria Day
« Roll back malaria - working together to count malaria out » is the theme of World Malaria Day 2009.

Sibut was the focal point for this year’s activities, in Kémo prefecture. The Ministry of Health took care of the organisation with the support of partners such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Various stands representing organisations such as the Central African Association for Social Marketing and the NGO Mentor Initiative sought to raise awareness through posters, competitions, shows and hand-outs.

Malaria is CAR’s biggest killer, responsible for 13.8% of deaths. 40% of hospital consultations and admittances are for malaria and its prevalence is at 37.66% in the general population.

The day ended with a girls’ football match with the ‘Mosquito Nets’ team beating the ‘Mosquitos’ team by 1 goal to 0.

«Demonstration of how to use a mosquito net»

For more information: Dr Jean Metode Moyen, Ministry for health | (236) 70 90 46 77 | methodemoyen@yahoo.fr

Coordination

Security situation between Chad and CAR
A UN delegation arrived in Bangui on the 27th of April from Chad. Victor Angelo, UN Special Representative for MINURCAT, Amaning Kingsley, Humanitarian Coordinator and deputy Special Representative for Chad as well as representatives from WFP, UNICEF, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and OCHA made up the delegation.

The main aim of the trip was the introduction of MINURCAT commander Division General El Hadji Mouhamadou Kandji to the highest authorities in the country.

After a meeting with the UN country team, the delegation was received by the Interior Minister and the Prime Minister in Bangui. Points discussed included the security situation and coordination for a better flow of information on trans-border migration.

UNHCR estimates that 17,000 Central Africans have crossed into Chad since the beginning of this year.

Contact Us:
Boris NGOUAGOUNI | (236) 70 18 80 61 | ngouagouni@un.org

Download

News Bulletin 105 - English (PDF) - 56 kb
News Bulletin 105 - Français (PDF) - 57 kb