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US ambassador visits Central African Republic US ambassador visits Central African Republic
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The US ambassador to the United Nations has arrived in Central African Republic, in the highest-profile American effort to date to quell a cycle of violence that has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced at least 10% of the population.The US ambassador to the United Nations has arrived in Central African Republic, in the highest-profile American effort to date to quell a cycle of violence that has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced at least 10% of the population.
Samantha Power said on the eve of her visit that she and Barack Obama were "deeply disturbed" by the killings by rival militias since the CAR government was overthrown in March. "The violence has been vicious and primarily directed toward civilians and is increasingly sectarian," she said. "Obviously urgent action is required to save lives." Samantha Power said on the eve of her visit that she and Barack Obama were "deeply disturbed" by the killings by rival militias since the republic's government was overthrown in March. "The violence has been vicious and primarily directed toward civilians and is increasingly sectarian," she said. "Obviously urgent action is required to save lives."
Power landed within sight of a refugee camp of 40,000 people and sped off in a convoy of three armoured SUVs guarded by US contractors in trucks. She will meet religious and community leaders as well as the president, Michel Djotodia, whose forces are accused of taking part in the atrocities.Power landed within sight of a refugee camp of 40,000 people and sped off in a convoy of three armoured SUVs guarded by US contractors in trucks. She will meet religious and community leaders as well as the president, Michel Djotodia, whose forces are accused of taking part in the atrocities.
Power, who has been a vocal proponent of US intervention to stop mass atrocities, cautioned against comparing CAR to other African tragedies but did not hesitate to draw parallels. "Somalia showed us what can happen in a failed state and Rwanda showed us what can occur in a deeply divided nation," she said. "The population of the Central African Republic is in danger." Power, who has been a vocal proponent of US intervention to stop mass atrocities, cautioned against comparing the republic to other African tragedies but did not hesitate to draw parallels. "Somalia showed us what can happen in a failed state, and Rwanda showed us what can occur in a deeply divided nation," she said. "The population of the Central African Republic is in danger."
Before joining government service Power wrote a Pulitzer prize-winning book in 2002 about how various US administrations over the years have been reluctant to confront mass atrocities and genocide around the world. Before joining government service, Power wrote a Pulitzer prize-winning book in 2002 about how various US administrations over the years have been reluctant to confront mass atrocities and genocide around the world.
Muslim rebels overthrew the CAR government in March and a cycle of atrocities and revenge attacks followed, peaking over the last few days. Muslim rebels overthrew the government in March, and a cycle of atrocities and revenge attacks followed, peaking over the last few days.
Human Rights Watch said in a report on Thursday that Christian militias including soldiers of the deposed regime, responding to "rampant abuses" by Muslim armed groups, had killed hundreds around the country, sparking further retaliatory attacks. Human Rights Watch said in a report on Thursday that Christian militias – including soldiers of the deposed regime, responding to "rampant abuses" by Muslim armed groups – had killed hundreds around the country, sparking further retaliatory attacks.
According to Power, 400,000 people – almost 10% of the population – have been displaced from their homes in what was already one of Africa's poorest countries.According to Power, 400,000 people – almost 10% of the population – have been displaced from their homes in what was already one of Africa's poorest countries.
A French military force of 1,600 backed by 3,500 troops from African countries have intervened in the country with US logistical support in an effort to stop the killings. A French military force of 1,600 backed by 3,500 troops from African countries has intervened in the country with US logistical support in an effort to stop the killings.
Human Rights Watch's UN director, Philippe Bolopion, said Power's early work on genocide make her a significant choice for the first high-level US mission. "She used to be an observer on the sidelines and now she is at the very centre of it so she's fully aware of what is at stake there and with her background I think she is doing everything in her power to push the US government to react the way it should," he said. Philippe Bolopion, Human Rights Watch's UN director, said Power's early work on genocide makes her a significant choice for the first high-level US mission. "She used to be an observer on the sidelines and now she is at the very centre of it, so she's fully aware of what is at stake there and with her background I think she is doing everything in her power to push the US government to react the way it should," he said.
Bolopion called for a UN peacekeeping mission of at least 9,000 soldiers. A senior US official said part of Power's mission would be to assess the necessity of such a mission.Bolopion called for a UN peacekeeping mission of at least 9,000 soldiers. A senior US official said part of Power's mission would be to assess the necessity of such a mission.
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