Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the fifteenth ordinary session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), delivered by Sahle-Work Zewde, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic, in Ndjamena, 28 February:
I convey my warmest greetings to the fifteenth ordinary session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of Central African States, and to the President, Government and people of Chad for hosting this important meeting.
ECCAS has come a long way since its establishment in 1983. After a long period of divisive conflict, leaders of the subregion came together to pursue lasting and peaceful solutions to their problems. The adoption, in June 2002, of the protocol on the establishment of the Council for Peace and Security in Central Africa is recognized as turning point for the revitalization of your organization.
The commendable advances ECCAS has made since then attest to its importance as a peace and security mechanism that is managed by the subregion, for the subregion. The Central African multinational force has assisted in consolidating peace and bringing stability to the Central African Republic. Electoral observation missions deployed by ECCAS have helped bring legitimacy to national efforts to promote good governance and democratization. ECCAS is also undertaking promising efforts to promote economic and social development and accelerate regional integration.
Despite these accomplishments, the potential of the Central African subregion to provide prosperity and stability for its people is not being met. Instability persists. Cross-border challenges such as arms and drug trafficking, the illegal exploitation of natural resources and weak governance derail positive gains. Armed rebel groups operate with impunity. Too often, unconstitutional changes of Government, corruption and manipulations of fundamental laws are the order of the day. The people are asking for an end to such crimes and misdeeds; in their place, they want to see transparent, participatory and accountable political systems.
The United Nations General Assembly and Security Council have often called on the UN Secretariat to help strengthen the capacity of ECCAS in the area of peace and security. Since its establishment in 1992, the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa has been assisting in stabilization and security efforts. Over the years, the United Nations family has been broadening its cooperation with ECCAS and now works with the organization on early warning, mediation and conflict prevention.
To reinforce this cooperation, and in response to your repeated calls, the Security Council has established the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa. The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, B. Lynn Pascoe, will inaugurate the Office on my behalf early next month. Through this presence, the United Nations will continue to assist you in operationalizing and building the capacities of ECCAS in order to contribute to the stabilization of the subregion. The Office will also help facilitate the implementation of a holistic approach to peace and security challenges and support subregional efforts to address cross-cutting issues of concern.
The United Nations will continue to be your close partner in your efforts to bring durable peace, security, stability and well-being to your region. I urge you to carry out your work in an open and conciliatory spirit in order to achieve concrete, substantive results. I wish you every success in your deliberations.
* *** *