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1st LD Writethru: UN chief calls for "peaceful, credible" referendum in Central African Republic

Xinhua, December 13, 2015 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday called for a "peaceful and credible" referendum in the Central African Republic, saying that the upcoming polls is "a significant milestone towards the end of the transition" in the country.

"On the eve of the referendum on the draft Constitution in the Central African Republic, the secretary-general calls on all national stakeholders to ensure that the referendum is conducted in a peaceful and credible manner," said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesman. "The referendum is a significant milestone towards the end of the transition in the Central African Republic which will lay new foundations for a stable future for the country and its people."

The secretary-general also reiterated the commitment of the United Nations to continue to support the efforts of the Transitional Authorities and the electoral process.

The UN special representative to the Central African Republic, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, on Friday urged the country to hold a peaceful constitutional referendum, calling it an important step to overcoming violence pitting Christian militias against Muslim rebels for more than two years.

The Central African Republic is about to vote in a referendum Sunday on a new constitution in a bid to prepare for parliamentary and presidential elections later this month which would lead the country out of chaos.

The referendum on Sunday will pave the way for presidential and legislative elections on Dec. 27 and for the transitional government to transfer power by the end of March. The polls were delayed several times amid the turmoil.

The fighting began in March 2013 when mainly Muslim rebels overthrew President Francois Bozize. The takeover was marked by the widespread killing of civilians, prompting Christians to set up a rival militia known as anti-balaka. Endit