UN Rights Expert Urges Support for New Government in Central African Republic

 The United Nations independent expert on the human rights situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) Marie-Therese Keita-Bocoum called on the international community to support that country's newly elected President Faustin Archange Touadera, and the government he will form, as he takes measures to meet the high expectations of the population.

    These include a return to security, disarming groups, strengthening the rule of law and fighting impunity, encouraging national reconciliation, and providing urgent services, such as education and health, according to the UN News Centre. "All the actors of the civil society I met deplored the absence of the criminal justice system, the lack of access to justice and the lack of measures to protect victims and witnesses," the expert said. 

    Keita-Bocoum noted also the challenges from humanitarian needs, which said remain "high", with international aid often being the only way to meet the health, nutritional and sanitation basics for the population. The country is emerging from nearly three years of fighting between the Seleka and anti-Balaka groups. 

    The UN has played a major role in seeking to restore peace in the CAR, with military and police units from the 11,000-strong UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the country (MINUSCA) joining soldiers from the French Sangaris force and local security teams last 30 December at polling stations to ensure a peaceful presidential vote.

Source: QNA