UN CALLS FOR END TO CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC VIOLENCE

Accra, Ghana, 11 Jumadil Akhir 1434/21 April 2013 (MINA) – a UN spokesman said on Saturday (20/4) the United Nations has urged Central African Republic Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye to restore security in the strife-torn nation.

“At a meeting in Cameroon, top UN official Jeffrey Feltman passed on UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s deep concern over the alarming situation regarding security and human rights in the country,” UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said, as modern Ghana reported monitored by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).

The media reported the Central African Republic has been in turmoil since a Seleka opposition movement coalition seized power in Bangui on March 24, with authorities failing to halt widespread looting and other violence.

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It said Feltman had urged Tiangaye “to exercise his leadership in helping to restore calm throughout the country.” Feltman also reiterated UN support for January’s Libreville accords which had aimed to resolve the crisis in the country.

The UN would also “remain engaged with the Central African Republic’s regional and international partners to provide humanitarian assistance, as security conditions permit.”

Leaders in the region said on Thursday (18/4) they would increase their military force in the Central African Republic by 2,000 soldiers in a bid to restore order. One week ago, Michel Djotodia, whose oppsition movement coalition Seleka seized power in the Central African Republic last month, was on Saturday (13/4) elected interim president by the national transitional council.

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Djotodia, who had proclaimed himself president after his troops took Bangui on March 24, was the only candidate in the vote held during the opening minutes of the council’s first session.

The interim president is to rule for no longer than 18 months, during which time the 105-member transitional body will act as a constituent assembly.

The council includes Seleka officials, members of the ousted administration as well as civil society representatives. (T/P09/P03)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)