UN concerned over clashes between armed groups in Central African Republic

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The members of the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday expressed concern at the ongoing clashes between armed groups in the Central African Republic (CAR) and the attacks against civilians.

In a press statement, the members of the Security Council also expressed concern over the attacks on UN peacekeepers and humanitarian workers, as well as incitement to ethnic and religious hatred and violence, which continue to destabilize the country and cause heavy civilian casualties and significant population displacements despite agreement by parties to the conflict to an immediate cessation of hostilities.

"In particular, they strongly condemned the recent violence that took place in Paoua, in the north-west part of the Central African Republic, and led to the displacement of nearly 60,000 internally displaced persons and 20,000 refugees," said the statement.

They called on the CAR authorities to continue their efforts to implement transparent and inclusive measures that will address the root causes of instability... to establish a functioning public financial management in order to meet the expenses related to the functioning of the State, implement early recovery plans and revitalize the economy, the statement said.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their support to the African Initiative for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR and its road map that was adopted in Libreville on July 17, 2017 and which constitute the main framework for a political solution in the CAR, as agreed by the CAR authorities and under their leadership.

The members of the Security Council met on Feb. 22 to discuss the situation in the CAR and the activities of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the CAR (MINUSCA). Enditem