UN General Assembly
2013

the security of humanitarian personnel and associated United Nations personnel. True to its philosophy, Chad sent the largest armed contingent to Mali, with more than 2,000 men, and 900 to the Central African Republic. Some 1,800 Chadian soldiers will join the new United Nations force in Mali. Chadian peacekeepers are now present in Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Haiti as part of United Nations peacekeeping missions. We take this solemn opportunity to formally commend the successful completion of the transition process in Mali, with the holding of free, regular democratic elections unanimously hailed by the entire international community. Our wish is for that fraternal country to restore peace, unity and stability so that its sons and daughters can focus their energies and intelligence on progress and the well-being of the population. However, the situation in the Central African Republic remains alarming. The insecurity and the political, economic and financial difficulties that continue to face the transitional Government represent major challenges of concern to everyone. The countries of the region, through the Economic Community of