UN political chief visits Central African Republic

11 June - The top United Nations political official continued his week-long visit to West and Central Africa, arriving today in the Central Africa Republic (CAR).

Under-Secretary-General B. Lynn Pascoe is expected to meet President François Bozizé and other senior officials in the CAR capital, Bangui, as well as visit the UN Peacebuilding Support Office in the country, known as BONUCA.

Yesterday, Mr. Pascoe was in Nigeria, where he held talks with President Umaru Yar'Adua, other authorities and diplomats.

At a speech to the country's National Defense College, he noted that several countries have made progress in emerging from conflicts and in holding credible elections, but noted current threats to the region, including drug trafficking and the resurgence of military coups and other unconstitutional changes in government.

West Africa must “rise to the current challenge and protect the democratic gains it has fought so hard to achieve,” Mr. Pascoe said in his address.

Tomorrow, he will travel to Sierra Leone and is scheduled to stop in Guinea-Bissau before wrapping up his mission.