“Limited success” in army restructuring

The CAR government now seemed willing to start the stalled armed forces restructuring process, but unfortunately at a time when the mandate of the UN Mission in the CAR (MINURCA) was coming to an end, UN Special Representative Oluyemi Adeniji said on Tuesday. At a New York press conference, Adeniji said MINURCA, whose mandate expires in mid-February, had had “limited success” in supporting demobilisation and civilian reintegration efforts, as well as in the training of fresh recruits for the armed forces. Because of the complexity and sensitive nature of the tasks, the government had been reluctant to begin until the presidential elections were completed, he said. The government was now “in the process of consolidating itself” in the capital following September’s election, Adeniji added.