CEMAC seeks additional troops

The peacekeeping force of the Economic Community of Central African States, known as CEMAC, has once again sought an increase in the number of its troops to enable it to achieve its mission in the Central African Republic, an official told IRIN on Wednesday. "The [current] size of the force does not meet the demands of the mission," Rear-Adml Martin Mavoungou, CEMAC Commander-in-Chief, said. He said the request was made to the army chiefs of staff of the Republic of Congo and Gabon, Gen Charles Mondjo and Gen Jean Longo, when the two visited the CAR on Tuesday. They were received by President Francois Bozize. Mavoungou said that with only 380 men, it was hard for CEMAC to secure the 623,000 square km country. With 139 men from Gabon, 121 from Chad and 120 from the Republic of Congo, the force has been carrying out missions in the provinces where armed groups were reported. The force is financially and logistically supported by France. CEMAC's mandate was amended on 2 June to include securing the capital, Bangui, and provincial towns; securing the country's major transport routes; disarmament; and army reform. The force's mandate expires at the end of the transitional period in the CAR, scheduled for January 2005. "Every body can now move about safely in Bangui and the provinces," he said. He added that in some areas, the force had been unable to neutralise armed groups due to the poor state of roads. "If no major development occurred, the announced electoral calendar could be implemented starting from mid 2004 as scheduled," he said.