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1st LD Writethru: UN chief calls for immediate end to renewed violence in CAR

Xinhua, November 29, 2016 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday said that he "is deeply concerned over renewed violence last week" in the Central African Republic (CAR)" and urged "the armed groups to immediately stop the violence" in the war-torn country.

Two armed groups, both factions of the ex-Seleka -- the Front populaire pour la renaissance de la Centrafrique (FPRC) and the Union pour la paix en Centrafrique (UPC) -- have clashed in Bria, Haute Kotto prefecture, with dozens reportedly killed and wounded and over 11,000 persons displaced, the secretary-general noted in a statement issued here by his spokesman.

"Many of the victims are reportedly civilians," the statement said. "A large number appear to have been targeted based on their ethnicity."

The secretary-general recalled that the recent Brussels conference on CAR underlined the willingness of the international community to support the country on its path towards recovery and stability, said the statement.

"For this to happen it is important that the right circumstances prevail," the statement said. "Accordingly, he calls for the armed groups to immediately stop the violence and genuinely commit to ongoing efforts to address the root causes of the conflict including through the implementation of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme recently approved in Bangui."

"The secretary-general hopes that the extraordinary summit meeting of Heads of State of the Economic Community of Central African States, expected to be held in Libreville on 30 November, will reinforce the efforts undertaken by the government of the CAR and President (Faustin-Archange) Touadera to consolidate peace and place the country on a path of recovery and stability," the statement added.

A civil war in the Central African Republic broke out on Dec. 10, 2012 between Seleka rebel coalition and government forces.

Seleka took power from former President Francois Bozize in March 2013 and the rebels' leader Michel Djotodia declared himself president.

A National Transitional Council was established and elected Catherine Samba-Panza as provisional president until the second round of the new election on Feb. 14, 2016, in which Touadera was elected as president. Endit