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Joint four-day AU-ECCAS-UN-EU visit to the Central African Republic

A joint delegation from the African Union (AU), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), United Nations and European Union is in Bangui for a high-level visit to the Central African Republic (CAR) from 2 to 5 June 2021.

The four-day mission includes Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; Mangaral Banté, ECCAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; Jean-Pierre Lacroix, United Nations Under Secretary-General for Peace Operations; Charles Fries, EU Deputy Secretary-General for the Common Security and Defence Policy and Rita Laranjinha, EU External Action Service Africa Director.

On the mission agenda: discussions with the Central African Head of State Faustin Touadéra and the president of the national assembly Mathieu Sarandji, among others.

The visit comes as the 2020-2021 CAR election cycle comes to a close. The delegation will also meet with civil society, women, youth, religious and political party representatives and diplomats in Bangui as well as hold talks with the custodians of the CAR political agreement for peace (APPR).

“Actors from all segments of society should work together for an inclusive dialogue, for permanent peace in the country,” said AU Commissioner Bankole Adeoye on arrival.

“There can be no lasting peace through military force,” he added, while stressing the importance of working with the international community and neighbouring countries for stability in Central Africa. He also hoped that the CAR population will continue to support MINUSCA as the Mission is mandated to protect of civilians, but in no way an enemy of the Central African people.

Jean-Pierre LaCroix similarly highlighted the necessity of working together for peace and security in the Central African Republic.

Rita Laranjinha underlined the EU’s continuing commitment to efforts for national reconciliation in the CAR, in concert with international partners.

The joint visit is part of the AU-ECCAS-UN-EU quartet’s regular consultations on the Central African Republic.