EUFOR RCA. The success criteria of General Pontiès
The European peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (EUFOR RCA) has six months to restore security and reduce the circulation of arms. But what will be the criteria for its success?
(BRUXELLES2) What are the success criteria for the EUFOR RCA mission for the next six months? General Philippe Pontiès, commander of the operation, sees three. "If at the end of the mandate, we were able to increase the forces of MISCA and Sangaris, trigger a sustainable return of humanitarian workers in the sector and support other operations, I believe that the mission will have been fulfilled" he said at a press conference on Wednesday (June 18).
Reasons for celebration despite everything...
We are not there yet! The general is indeed showing a rather measured joy. “I am delighted with the speed with which EUFOR has reached full operational capability” he says. Despite several difficulties: “a certain number of housing and information system contracts, a non-existent support capacity, the difficulty of doing only with the air, the security situation that the soldiers have to deal with on the spot”.
An alarming security situation in the 3 zones
The security situation in EUFOR's three areas of action - Bangui airport, the former UCATEX factory and the police academy - is alarming ". The airport is a “transit and contact zone”, according to the senior military officer. “The southwest corner of the airport is part of the anti-balaka movement.
In the east, the majority of the population is Muslim. » Another transit zone, the M'Poko camp. "There are many flows that deserve to be better controlled, if only to improve the security situation of displaced people". The 3rd arrondissement and the 5th arrondissement - one more Muslim, the other more Christian - concentrate the tensions.
Faced with this situation, EUFOR has two components, a special forces unit “dedicated to intelligence of humanitarian origin and area reconnaissance” and a unit of gendarmes. “They started their patrols in the 5th arrondissement of the city”. And that's just the beginning. “If it goes well, they are doing similar projects in the 3rd arrondissement”.
Necessary support
Expectations are high. “This mission has a very high symbolic and psychological value” reminds the commander. The visible and robust deployment of the mission in the third arrondissement is even “ vital ". Because the population is "exceeded by the recurring level of insecurity and the circulation of weapons". “A level of unbearability has been reached”. The mission is therefore expected at the turn. “But we still have to get everyone on board and help us” says the general. The soldiers have so far not done "the use of their weapons". But this remains permitted by Chapter 7 of the United Nations resolution.
Pilot projects pending?
"A comprehensive approach is the only way to restore confidence in the M'Poko camp" says the military official. " ATith the NGOs, beyond the humanitarian analysis, we share the path to follow in these areas. We are perfectly coordinated with the various services for the rehabilitation of urban infrastructure and pilot projects for reconciliation through work”. Other common projects are planned to increase the mobility of the population and its access to trade, health care, education and the cemetery. Mission-led pilot projects are also underway to provide “detection equipment” and identify suspicious people on the ground. But the realization of these projects come up against the security issue. Humanitarians have funds " for projects, but cannot implement them. "NGOs have said that if they feel the level of security is strong enough, they will start their projects."
(Loreline Merelle)
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