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Central African Republic 'descending into chaos' - UN | Central African Republic 'descending into chaos' - UN |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The UN deputy secretary general has called for urgent action in the Central African Republic (CAR), warning it is descending into "complete chaos". | The UN deputy secretary general has called for urgent action in the Central African Republic (CAR), warning it is descending into "complete chaos". |
Jan Eliasson urged the UN Security Council to strengthen the African Union-led force in the country ahead of a vote due next week. | Jan Eliasson urged the UN Security Council to strengthen the African Union-led force in the country ahead of a vote due next week. |
He said preparations should be made to turn the AU force into a UN peacekeeping operation. | |
The CAR has been in turmoil since rebels seized power in March. | The CAR has been in turmoil since rebels seized power in March. |
'Left to fester' | 'Left to fester' |
Mr Eliasson said there had been an surge in sexual violence, torture, summary executions and sectarian violence between Muslims and Christians. | Mr Eliasson said there had been an surge in sexual violence, torture, summary executions and sectarian violence between Muslims and Christians. |
"The CAR is becoming a breeding ground for extremists and armed groups in a region that is already suffering from conflict and instability," he said. | "The CAR is becoming a breeding ground for extremists and armed groups in a region that is already suffering from conflict and instability," he said. |
"If this situation is left to fester, it may develop into a religious and ethnic conflict with long-standing consequences, even a civil war that could spread into neighbouring countries." | "If this situation is left to fester, it may develop into a religious and ethnic conflict with long-standing consequences, even a civil war that could spread into neighbouring countries." |
CAR Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye earlier said France had agreed to send 800 extra troops to the conflict-torn nation. | CAR Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye earlier said France had agreed to send 800 extra troops to the conflict-torn nation. |
He said the deployment would take place after a vote in the Security Council. | He said the deployment would take place after a vote in the Security Council. |
France currently has 410 soldiers in the capital Bangui. | France currently has 410 soldiers in the capital Bangui. |
The French foreign ministry has not confirmed the increase. | The French foreign ministry has not confirmed the increase. |
Spiralling | Spiralling |
The UN Security Council is expected next week to adopt a resolution authorising the deployment of African Union troops with French support in the impoverished nation. | The UN Security Council is expected next week to adopt a resolution authorising the deployment of African Union troops with French support in the impoverished nation. |
"A country in the heart of Africa is descending into complete chaos before our eyes," Mr Eliasson told the 15-member council on Monday. | "A country in the heart of Africa is descending into complete chaos before our eyes," Mr Eliasson told the 15-member council on Monday. |
"The situation requires prompt and decisive action." | "The situation requires prompt and decisive action." |
Earlier this month, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said communal violence in the CAR risked spiralling out of control. | Earlier this month, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said communal violence in the CAR risked spiralling out of control. |
Mr Ban backed the establishment of a UN peacekeeping force before the crisis leads to widespread atrocities. | Mr Ban backed the establishment of a UN peacekeeping force before the crisis leads to widespread atrocities. |
The rebels - known as the Seleka - have replaced President Bozize with their own commander Michel Djotodia. | The rebels - known as the Seleka - have replaced President Bozize with their own commander Michel Djotodia. |
Armed gangs, mainly former Seleka rebels, who are mostly Muslim, now control most of the landlocked country. | Armed gangs, mainly former Seleka rebels, who are mostly Muslim, now control most of the landlocked country. |
Mr Djotodia has formally disbanded the rebels and integrated many fighters into the national army. | Mr Djotodia has formally disbanded the rebels and integrated many fighters into the national army. |
But former rebels linked to Seleka have continued to launch attacks on scores of villages, prompting the emergence of local civilian protection groups. | But former rebels linked to Seleka have continued to launch attacks on scores of villages, prompting the emergence of local civilian protection groups. |
The government in Bangui denies targeting any group, but recognises the rise in inter-community violence. | The government in Bangui denies targeting any group, but recognises the rise in inter-community violence. |