By United Nations
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
The Central African Republic (CAR) with the support of the UN peacekeeping mission in the country (MINUSCA), is experiencing much positive momentum from the recent dissolution of active armed groups, according to the UN’s Special Envoy for the country.
Speaking to the Security Council on Wednesday, Valentine Rugwabiza, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for CAR, highlighted the importance of renewing the Mission’s mandate.
MINUSCA was established in September 2014 in the CAR following a deadly flare up of inter-communal violence between the mainly Muslim Séléka groups and the mainly Christian anti-Balaka movement.
Civilians, top priority
Its mandate includes protection of civilians as the “utmost priority” alongside supporting humanitarian operations, protecting and promoting human rights and the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation of fighters from neighboring countries.
The CAR has struggled to bring a definitive end to armed rebellions and recurrent violence since the start of the civil war in 2013.
Commending recent progress, Ms. Rugwabiza reported the dissolution of six armed groups and three factions of armed groups signatories which were signatories to CAR’s Political Agreement which “remained effective and resulted in the disarmament and demobilization of their combatants, with the integration of some of them in the national armed forces”.
Ms. Rugwabiza also underscored local elections as a “key component” of the Agreement which “offers a unique opportunity for enhanced governance at a decentralized level”.
Preparations for local elections have also continued to progress driven by the Government’s sustained commitment and MINUSCA multidimensional support.
