Annan on first visit by a UN Secretary-General

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan paid a two-day visit to the CAR on the first ever visit to the country by a person holding that position. During the visit, from 30 April to 1 May, he met various political figures including President Ange-Felix Patasse, Prime Minister Anicet Georges Dolegue and members of the national assembly. According to a UN statement, the CAR ministers described plans to resolve internal security problems. They also spoke of stronger economic growth in CAR and moves to rebuild the country’s infrastructure. One example, they noted, was expansion of the electricity grid thanks to financial help from the World Bank. Annan commented that he was pleased the UN could play a role in the peaceful return to democratic rule.

Annan also introduced his representative Cheikh Tidiane Sy who will head the new UN peace-building office in the capital, Bangui. Gabonese radio said President Patasse acknowledged growing international interest in his country which is slowly recovering from three army mutinies. Donors are due to meet in New York on 15-16 May to examine ways of funding CAR’s rehabilitation contained in the Bangui peace accords. This includes reorganising the defence and security forces.