UN mission's activities to be adjusted

The activities of the UN Peace-building Support Office (BONUCA) in the Central African Republic will be adjusted following the change of power in March, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Monday in a report to the UN Security Council. "Restoration of security remains the top priority for the new authorities and is a prerequisite for a smooth transition and the holding of future elections," Annan was quoted as saying. He added that the overall situation was being brought under control with considerable difficulty. "Although there will be no fundamental change in the mandate of the [BONUCA} office, its activities will be adjusted in light of the requirements of the new situation [in the country]," Annan said in the report aimed at keeping the council informed of BONUCA's activities and the situation in the country in general. UN News quoted Annan as saying that BONUCA would continue to provide support for the ongoing transition process by temporarily adjusting the programmes and agencies now operating in the country. Former army chief of staff Francois Bozize ousted President Ange-Felix Patasse on 15 March. Three months after the coup, lack of security, a struggling economy and a worsening human rights situation have generated new challenges for BONUCA, Annan said in his report. "On that score, BONUCA will contribute to the programme for restructuring the Central African defence and security forces," he said. He added that the UN mission would also monitor developments in the country's security situation, as well as the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration. [The Secretary-General's report is available online at: www.un.org]