05 October 1999

Bonn, Germany: Most of the 25 long-term observers fielded by the United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV) for last month's presidential elections in the Central African Republic completed their assignments on 5 October. Many of the UN Volunteers are scheduled to leave the country at the weekend.

The electoral observers were sent to the country in early July to lay the groundwork for the 19 September poll and organize briefings for 200 additional international observers; half of these were recruited from UN offices in New York, Geneva, Vienna and Bonn.

In addition to the observers, UNV deployed six interpreters, two refrigeration mechanics, a radio technician, a civil engineer, an electrician, two administrative officers and two human rights observers to work with the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCA). These support personnel are to remain in the country until 15 November.

Of the 45 UN Volunteers serving with MINURCA, 19 have previous experience in electoral or peacekeeping missions; they come from 26 countries.

According to results released by the constitutional court in the Central African Republic's capital Bangui on 2 October, incumbent President Ange-Felix Patasse was re-elected for a new six-year term, having received 51.63 per cent of the votes cast. His main rival, former President Andre Kolingba, won 19.38 per cent.

UNV has maintained a presence in the landlocked country of 3.4 million people since 1973. Many UN Volunteers, including a large number of national UNVs, have worked in the areas of disease prevention and control, social development and poverty alleviation. Four Central African Republic nationals are currently serving as international UN Volunteers in Guinea, Madagascar, Mali and Niger.