AU lifts CAR sanctions
2005-06-24 17:52
Addis Ababa - The African Union (AU) lifted all sanctions imposed on the Central African Republic after a 2003 coup on Friday, following democratic elections in which coup leader General Francois Bozize won the presidency.
The 15-member AU peace and security council said it was pleased with the conduct of elections held in March and May and voted to end the suspension of Bangui's activities in the pan-African body.
"The council was very satisfied with the way the elections were run in the Central African Republic so we thought this was the time to lift the sanctions," AU peace and security council commissioner Said Djinnit said.
The coup-plagued country was suspended from all AU activities in March 2003 when Bozize stormed to power, ousting the unpopular but elected president Ange-Felix Patasse.
During a two-year transitional period that followed Bozize promised to restore the country to democratic, constitutional rule and despite criticism that he had acquired a taste for power held generally free and fair elections in March and May.
End the isolation
Bozize won the May 8 presidential contest with some two-thirds of the vote and last week a new government was formed mainly from lawmakers elected in March of parties that backed the president.
In light of current conditions, the peace and security council said it was appropriate to end the CAR's isolation on the continent and called on the African Union's 52 other members to support Bangui.
"In view of elections held in March and May 2005 which formalised the return of constitutional order, the suspension of the Central African Republic which followed the coup d'etat of March 15 2003, should now be lifted," it said.
"In addition, the African Union should support the efforts being deployed to mobilize the international community to provide to the Central African Republic much-needed assistance for its socio-economic recovery," it said.
"The political situation in the Central African Republic is witnessing an encouraging evolution following the elections and the formation of a new government," the council said in a resolution adopted on Friday.