Africa

Africa

UN chief slams attacks on towns in Central African Republic

27 December 2012 02:12 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Wednesday strongly condemned rebel groups' armed attacks on several towns in the Central African Republic, saying that these actions "gravely undermine the peace agreements in place" in the African country, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

"The secretary-general strongly condemns the armed attacks on several towns in the Central African Republic perpetrated by the coalition of rebel groups 'SELEKA'," said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesman.

"These developments gravely undermine the peace agreements in place and the efforts of the international community to consolidate peace in the Central African Republic," the statement said. "The secretary-general deeply regrets the loss of life and population displacement caused by the fighting."

Hundreds of protesters gathered around the French Embassy in the Central African Republic on Wednesday to vent anger at the lack of support by the former colonial power in fighting the advancing "SELEKA" rebel coalition.

The SELEKA coalition says the government has not honored peace accords signed between 2007 and 2011, which offered financial support and other help for insurgents who laid down their arms.

The protest came one day after the government lost the central town of Kaga Bandoro to northern rebels, the latest in a series taken by Seleka fighters in the past weeks.

The loss of Kaga Bandoro exposed the capital Bangui closer to rebels, who had previously captured such towns as Ndele and Bria, without much resistance from ill-equipped government forces.

The country is facing the biggest challenge to its security since forming a government in January 2009 after an inclusive political dialogue in Bangui.

The weeks-old rebellion moved swiftly in its southward push, threatening all the peace accords signed in the past years.

Last week, the government rejected the charges by Seleka rebels that it failed to respect the Libreville Global Peace Agreements signed between 2006 and 2007.

"The secretary-general welcomes the conclusions of the Summit of the Heads of State of the Economic Community of the Central African States (ECCAS) held in Ndjamena on 21 December 2012," the statement said. "He urges all parties to abide by the decisions of the Summit, which provide a basis for a peaceful resolution of the dispute."

"The secretary-general appeals to all parties to refrain from any acts of violence against civilians, including sexual and gender-based violence," the statement said. "He calls on all parties to ensure the protection of civilians and to respect human rights, in conformity with international instruments to which the Central African Republic is a party."

"The secretary-general reminds the government of the Central African Republic of its responsibility to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and its premises," the statement said.

The UN personnel are part of the United Nations Mission in Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT), which was established by Security Council resolution 1778 (2007) on 25 September 2007 in order to contribute to the protection of civilians; promote human rights and the rule of law; and promote regional peace.

"The secretary-general confirms the readiness of the United Nations to continue to support the Central African Republic in overcoming challenges to the consolidation of peace, in collaboration with regional and international partners," said the statement.