UN calls for Central Africa election funding, aid

An armoured personnel carrier belonging to United Nations peacekeepers is stationed outside the presidential palace in the Central African Republic's capital Bangui, on October 8, 2014. By Pacome Pabamdji (AFP/File)

United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The head of the UN mission to Central Africa called on member states Tuesday to better fund preparations for the country's upcoming elections and humanitarian relief.

The United Nations still lacks half the $44 million it says it needs to help CAR move forward with presidential and legislative elections in July and August, Babacar Gaye, head of the UN's MINUSCA mission told the Security Council.

"The success of the electoral process depends on one-time payment of the funds and we urge member states to respond quickly to this call," Gaye said.

CAR has been racked by unrest since the mainly Muslim Seleka rebel alliance seized power in 2013, following a coup that ousted president Francois Bozize.

The episode triggered a wave of deadly sectarian violence between the country's Christian and Muslim populations.

Gaye added that the humanitarian situation remained serious with 50,000 newly displaced people since January and the fragmentation of armed groups limiting humanitarian access.

To date, the UN has only 13 percent of the funds necessary to supply humanitarian assistance in 2015, Gaye said.

The Security Council also held consultations ahead of its annual vote to renew MINUSCA's mandate, which expires at the end of April.

In late March the 15-member council unanimously adopted a resolution that provides for an increase of 750 military personnel, 280 police and 20 corrections officers, ahead of upcoming CAR elections.

The new additions mean a total of 10,750 military personnel and more than 2,000 police officers are serving in MINUSCA, which was deployed in September taking over from an African Union-led mission.

Bozize and ex-president Michel Djotodia who was put in power by the Seleka rebels but stepped down in January under strong international pressure, inked a deal Tuesday committing them to the reconciliation process in their war-torn nation.