WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, welcomed the unanimous decision by the U.N. Security Council on Thursday to strengthen efforts to establish peace and civilian protection in the Central African Republic (CAR).
“For nearly a year, the people of the Central African Republic have been caught in a brutal cycle of violence between armed groups. Efforts by countries in the region to stop the violence are commendable, but have lacked essential capacity and resources. The international community has been slow to awaken to the severity of the governance and humanitarian crisis there, and I welcome the unanimous decision by the U.N. Security Council to bolster the international response to this grave and growing conflict.
“The Security Council resolution imposes an arms embargo on the CAR, creates a commission to investigate violations of human rights, and authorizes France to provide military support to the African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic (MISCA). These are critically important steps to establishing sustainable peace and security, and I welcome the commitment demonstrated by our African Union and French partners.”
The Central African Republic has experienced expanding violence and lawlessness since a March 2013 coup. The violence, which is increasingly intercommunal and interreligious, has forced at least 460,000 to flee their homes, many hiding in the bush or taking refuge in dangerous conditions around churches and schools. More than a quarter of CAR’s population of 4.6 million is seriously food insecure, and a lack of security has impeded delivery of humanitarian relief.
In addition to providing authorization for MISCA and French activities, the U.N. Security Council resolution calls on the Secretary General to prepare contingency plans for possible transition to a U.N. Peacekeeping Operation. The United States recently committed to provide $40 million to support MISCA.