By Erica Smith
Impunity Watch Report, Africa
WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America — On Thursday, The Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution urging the UN to establish a peacekeeping operation in Central African Republic (CAR).
The resolution calls on U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to submit a report within 30 days that would outline possible international support to the African Union lead peacekeeping mission known as MISCA. The resolution requires that Ban’s report contain “detailed options for international support to MISCA, including the possible option of a transformation of MISCA into a United Nations peacekeeping operation, subject to appropriate conditions on the ground.”
The 15-member Council also called for “the holding of free, fair and transparent presidential and legislative elections” to be held within 18 months after the beginning of the transition period which took effect on the 18 August. The council noted in it’s resolution that there are widespread “violations of international humanitarian law and the widespread human rights violations and abuses, notably by Seleka elements,” and demanded “that the Seleka elements and all other armed groups lay down their arms immediately.”
CAR has fallen into widespread lawlessness since the March ouster of President Francois Bozize by the Seleka rebels. Human rights groups have noted widespread looting and killing of civilians. 30 people were killed Tuesday when armed men attacked a village and Human Rights Watch has described what it says is Seleka’s deliberate killing of civilians between March and June of this year and its deliberate destruction of more than 1,000 homes.
Laurent Fabius, France’s foreign minister, warned that the Central African Republic could become a new Somalia unless immediate action is taken.
UN officials say that the crisis in CAR has failed to generate much international interest because it has been largely overshadowed by other conflicts, especially the civil war in Syria.
For more information, please see:
Chicago Tribune — U.N. Security Council asks for Central African peacekeeping options — 10 October 2013
Financial Times — UN backs peace plan for African nation — 10 October 2013
UN News Centre — Central African Republic: Security Council reinforces UN office, backs African Union peacekeeping role — 10 October 2013
Voice of America — UN Calls for Peacekeeping Force in CAR — 10 October 2013
The Wichita Eagle — UN tackles collapsing Central African Republic — 10 October 2013
BBC News — Central African Republic violence leaves 30 dead — 8 October 2013
