(Vatican Radio) The United Nations has stated that urgent action is needed in the
Central African Republic. It says the country is facing increasing anarchy and is
calling on the international community to put its weight behind a peace operation,
led by the African Union. During a press briefing, the UN Deputy Secretary General
Jan Eliasson also spoke of the possibility of setting up a UN peacekeeping mission
to the country. The Central African Republic has been in a state of turmoil since
March, when rebel forces overthrew the country’s president. Rebel groups are accused
of having committed human atrocities, including killings, rape, torture and the conscription
of child soldiers. Eliasson called the situation “a vicious circle of violence
that could very easily turn into mass atrocities”. He said one-third of the population
of 4.6 million is in dire need of food, water, health care and sanitation . France
has heeded the call for help from the Central African Republic and has announced it
will send an extra 1,000 troops to its mission there to help improve security. Listen
to the report by Laura Ieraci: