UN calls for greater international efforts to fight violence in CAR
The United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa is working with governments and partners, including Cameroon, to foster dialogue and address ongoing clashes in the country’s north-west and south-west.
CAPE TOWN, June 8 (ANA) – Political tensions and violence continue to threaten stability and civilian safety in the Central African Republic, according to the special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General.
Addressing these multiple threats, from terrorist attacks to border skirmishes requires coordinated efforts and strong support from the international community, François Louncény Fall told the UN Security Council on Monday, according to the UN News website.
Briefing the Council on the Secretary-General’s latest situation report, Fall, who also serves as head of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), provided a snapshot of pressing challenges and outlined how the agency was helping governments in the region to address them.
He commended efforts to overcome challenges such as elections and border tensions between Chad and the CAR.
UNOCA is working with governments and partners including Cameroon to foster dialogue and address ongoing clashes in the country’s north-west and south-west.
CAR has experienced conflict since 2013 when predominantly Muslim rebels known as Seleka removed former President Francois Bozize from power, plunging the country into violence and instability when their brutal rule gave rise to the anti-Balaka Christian militias.
Violence escalated in the run-up to last December’s presidential election as Coalition of Patriots for Change rebels led by Bozize launched a series of attacks nationwide and took control of some towns.
Increased violence has displaced over 270,000 people within the country since mid-December, while thousands have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.
– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa