Central African Republic: Joint Statement on the elections

19.01.2021

The African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smaïl Chergui, the President of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Ambassador Gilberto Da Piedade Veríssimo, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, take note of the decision of the Constitutional Court of the Central African Republic ruling on the electoral disputes and declaring the final results of the presidential election on 27 December 2020.

Senior officials from the African Union, the ECCAS, the United Nations and the European Union call on all the parties concerned to respect the decision of the Constitutional Court and to reaffirm their commitment to consolidating democracy and the rule of law in the Central African Republic. They underline the importance of dialogue in the search for sustainable solutions for peace and stability. To this end they encourage the national authorities to promote national unity, respect for democratic principles, political and inclusive dialogue, good governance and the strengthening of national institutions, the continuation of the peace process, the fight against impunity and the implementation of inclusive socio-economic initiatives through post-conflict reconstruction and development programmes, among other things, to allow the people of the Central African Republic to benefit from the peace dividends and to alleviate their suffering.

Senior officials from the African Union, the ECCAS, the United Nations and the European Union express serious concerns regarding the escalation of violence and coordinated attacks, including those aimed at taking control of the capital, Bangui. They strongly condemn the violence perpetrated by certain armed groups aimed at undermining the electoral process and destabilising the country as well as hate speech and incitement to violence fuelled by disinformation campaigns. In this respect they encourage all parties to work together, in a climate of calm, to create conditions that are conducive to finalising the next stages of the electoral process, in particular the legislative elections. They welcome the continued commitment of the United Nations’ Blue Helmets to maintaining peace, in collaboration with national defence and security forces as well as the other forces deployed in bilateral cooperation with the Central African Government.

Senior officials from the African Union, the ECCAS, the United Nations and the European Union call on the Central African authorities to continue the peace process with the armed groups, in particular by implementing in full the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic of 6 February 2019 in close coordination with the national, regional and international partners. They insist that the armed groups put an immediate stop to the violence and destabilisation attempts that have claimed the lives of civilians, humanitarian workers, national defence and security forces and Blue Helmets. They ask them to embrace dialogue and peace. They stress that the perpetrators and sponsors of violence will have to be held accountable for their criminal acts before the national and international courts. They also encourage the national authorities to continue their efforts to make the Truth, Justice, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TJRRC) operational.

Senior officials from the African Union, the ECCAS, the United Nations and the European Union call for the continued mobilisation of the sub-region and welcome the regional initiatives aimed at strengthening dialogue, easing the tensions and seeking concerted political solutions to this crisis. They reaffirm their commitment to the people and the Government of the Central African Republic in their efforts to consolidate peace and democracy and to promote national reconciliation and sustainable development in close collaboration with the other partners.

Done at Addis Ababa-Brussels-Libreville-New York

African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smaïl Chergui

President of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Ambassador Gilberto Da Piedade Veríssimo

United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell


See also

Nabila Massrali
Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
+32 (0) 2 29 88093
+32 (0) 460 79 52 44
Gesine Knolle
Press Officer for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/International Partnerships
+32 (0)2 29 54323
+32 (0)460 754 323