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France Moves in U.N. to Stabilize Central African Republic France Moves to Shore Up African State in Turmoil
(about 17 hours later)
France is drafting a United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at stabilizing the Central African Republic, the chronically dysfunctional country in which a transitional government has failed to stop months of lawless rampaging, atrocities and dire shortages that is attracting extremist militants from neighboring states. France is drafting a United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at stabilizing the Central African Republic, the chronically dysfunctional country in which a transitional government has failed to stop months of lawless rampaging, atrocities and dire shortages that are attracting extremist militants from neighboring states.
Diplomats at the United Nations said Thursday that the resolution by France, the former colonial ruler of the Central African Republic, would demand the transitional government’s compliance with previous promises of free and fair elections and unfettered access by aid groups delivering emergency relief supplies.Diplomats at the United Nations said Thursday that the resolution by France, the former colonial ruler of the Central African Republic, would demand the transitional government’s compliance with previous promises of free and fair elections and unfettered access by aid groups delivering emergency relief supplies.
It would threaten unspecified sanctions against “those who take action that undermines the peace, stability and security, including those who violate transitional agreements, impede the transitional process and fuel violence,” according to portions of a draft text shared by diplomats. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because the text is still under revision.It would threaten unspecified sanctions against “those who take action that undermines the peace, stability and security, including those who violate transitional agreements, impede the transitional process and fuel violence,” according to portions of a draft text shared by diplomats. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because the text is still under revision.
The resolution, which could be brought to a vote in coming days, would also raise the possibility of converting a proposed African Union force for the country, known as the International Support Mission in the Central African Republic, into a United Nations peacekeeping operation, which would give it more resources and power. The resolution would further raise the possibility of creating a special guard force just to protect United Nations facilities in the country.The resolution, which could be brought to a vote in coming days, would also raise the possibility of converting a proposed African Union force for the country, known as the International Support Mission in the Central African Republic, into a United Nations peacekeeping operation, which would give it more resources and power. The resolution would further raise the possibility of creating a special guard force just to protect United Nations facilities in the country.
The French have expressed growing worry at the deterioration in the Central African Republic, drawing parallels to the events last year in Mali, another former French colony, that led to its government’s collapse, a takeover of the northern half of Mali by Islamist militant extremists and an armed intervention by France against them early this year.The French have expressed growing worry at the deterioration in the Central African Republic, drawing parallels to the events last year in Mali, another former French colony, that led to its government’s collapse, a takeover of the northern half of Mali by Islamist militant extremists and an armed intervention by France against them early this year.
President François Hollande of France issued what he described as a “call of alarm” about the Central African Republic in his annual General Assembly speech last week. “Chaos has now taken hold there, and once again, civilians are its victims,” he said.President François Hollande of France issued what he described as a “call of alarm” about the Central African Republic in his annual General Assembly speech last week. “Chaos has now taken hold there, and once again, civilians are its victims,” he said.
His foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, also raised the issue at the United Nations last week, describing the country as “a gray area, a stateless area, an area without a backbone.” He said it was attracting some of Africa’s most feared militant groups, including the Lord’s Resistance Army from Uganda, the janjaweed from Darfur and possibly other militants from Mali, Libya and Nigeria. “We have no right to ignore the C.A.R.,” he said.His foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, also raised the issue at the United Nations last week, describing the country as “a gray area, a stateless area, an area without a backbone.” He said it was attracting some of Africa’s most feared militant groups, including the Lord’s Resistance Army from Uganda, the janjaweed from Darfur and possibly other militants from Mali, Libya and Nigeria. “We have no right to ignore the C.A.R.,” he said.
Landlocked and impoverished, the Central African Republic, which has a population of 5.1 million, has suffered coups and conflicts since it became independent in 1960. The current crisis, its most severe yet, began last December, when rebels known as Seleka began attacking government targets. A peace agreement in January collapsed and the rebels ousted the country’s president, François Bozizé, in March. Rights activists have reported numerous brazen violations by Seleka rebels since then, including deliberate killings of civilians, sexual violence against women and the looting of hospitals and schools. Landlocked and impoverished, the Central African Republic, which has a population of 5.1 million, has suffered coups and conflicts since it became independent in 1960.
A transitional government led by Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye has done little to thwart growing anarchy and desperation in the country. On Tuesday, two top United Nations human rights officials said in a statement that the situation there had grown grave. The current crisis, its most severe yet, began last December, when rebels known as Seleka began attacking government targets.
A peace agreement in January collapsed and the rebels ousted the country’s president, François Bozizé, in March. Rights activists have reported numerous brazen violations by Seleka rebels since then, including deliberate killings of civilians, sexual violence against women and the looting of hospitals and schools.
A transitional government led by Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye has done little to thwart growing anarchy and desperation in the country.
On Tuesday, two top United Nations human rights officials said in a statement that the situation there had grown grave.
“The breakdown of law and order and the apparent inability of the transitional authorities to exercise control over Seleka soldiers committing atrocities could presage a deepening crisis and a return to large-scale fighting,” said the officials, Adama Dieng, the special adviser on the prevention of genocide, and Jennifer Welsh, the special adviser on the responsibility to protect.“The breakdown of law and order and the apparent inability of the transitional authorities to exercise control over Seleka soldiers committing atrocities could presage a deepening crisis and a return to large-scale fighting,” said the officials, Adama Dieng, the special adviser on the prevention of genocide, and Jennifer Welsh, the special adviser on the responsibility to protect.