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After upsurge of violence, UN Security Council calls for free, fair elections in Central African Republic

Xinhua, October 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

While expressing deep concern about the recent upsurge of violence and instability in the Central African Republic (CAR), the UN Security Council on Tuesday stressed the importance of holding free and fair constitutional referendum and presidential and legislative elections by the end of 2015.

In a statement by the President of the Security Council, the council strongly condemned such violence, including all attacks against civilians, intercommunal violence, targeted violence against women and children, lootings of humanitarian premises and attacks against United Nations peacekeepers.

The council "emphasised that some of these attacks may constitute war crimes and that those responsible for all abuses and violations of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law must be held accountable," it said.

Reiterating its "support for the Transitional Authorities, under the leadership of Catherine Samba-Panza as the Transitional Head of State," the council called on "all takeholders in the CAR to commit to peace and reconciliation through the implementation of the agreements adopted at the Bangui Forum in May 2015," said the statement.

In order to hold the upcoming elections, the council "called on the Transitional Authorities, including the National Elections Authority (ANE) and the National Transitional Council, to adopt and publish, without any further delay, a revised calendar for the holding of elections as soon as possible."

Moreover, the council also called upon the ANE to continue the preparations for the referendum and the elections, without delay.

International support was solicited by the council to address critical priorities facing the nation, such as "disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation (DDRR), security sector reform, justice and reconciliation."

CAR has recently witnessed an upsurge in violence. On Sunday, seven United Nations police were ambushed and illegally detained by armed elements in a province near CAR capital of Bangui. Enditem