Ban calls to end inter-communal violence in Central African Republic
27 December 2013 – Amid reports of bodies found on the streets of the Central African
Republic (CAR) capital of Bangui, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is again appealing
for an end to the inter-communal violence between Christians and Muslims, calling
the continued fighting “appalling.”
In a statement from his spokesperson late
Thursday, Mr. Ban also paid homage to six peacekeepers from the African-led International
Support Mission (MISCA) killed the day before. The UN Security Council authorized
the force earlier this month to quell the spiraling violence.
“He calls on
all parties and citizens to cooperate with the African Union and French forces,” said
the statement. The spokesperson added that MISCA’s mission is to provide “desperately
needed security” and that its peacekeepers are not part of the conflict between Central
Africans.
CAR has been thrown into turmoil since Séléka rebels launched attacks
a year ago and forced President François Bozizé to flee in March. A transitional government
has since been entrusted with restoring peace and paving the way for democratic elections,
but armed clashes have erupted again, and in Bangui last week, Christians and Muslims
launched reprisal attacks against each other in and around the city.
Mr. Ban
called again on the Transitional Authorities to uphold their responsibilities to rein
in “those fomenting and perpetrating” the violence, warning perpetrators that they
will be held to account.
He welcomed appeals for peace by religious leaders,
both Christian and Muslim, and expressed hope that leaders at all levels will reinforce
this message.
In a personal video/audio message last week, Mr. Ban stressed
that the world was watching and that the UN was committed to helping CAR recover from
this crisis. “You are not alone and we will not abandon you,” he told the people of
the strife-torn nation.
Reaffirming his message, Mr. Ban added that the urgency
at this time is to provide security and protection for the civilian population, facilitate
humanitarian assistance, and create the conditions for a negotiated and orderly return
to constitutional order.
He also noted the commitment of UN personnel working
under “extremely trying circumstances” to help the people of the CAR, among them a
national colleague killed on Tuesday, and said he was committed to the safety of all
staff.
UN agencies have reported that the humanitarian situation in the country
is deteriorating, with at least 600 people killed this month alone, and 159,000 others
driven from their homes in Bangui. Source:UN