The Security Council today established a new peacekeeping mission for the Central African Republic for an initial period of one year, authorizing an initial deployment of up to 10,000?military and 1,800?police personnel. The conflict is between the minority Muslims and Christian militia groups. It is feared that the crisis has escalated to an act of genocide against the Muslim population in the Central African Republic. The Republic has been the center of humanitarian agencies attention for the past few years now. Amnesty International’s website describes the the situation in the Central African Republic as, “a human rights crisis of historic proportions.”Part of the resolution stated:
?Remaining seriously concerned”?by multiple violations of international humanitarian law and the widespread human rights violations and abuses, including those involving extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and detention, torture, sexual violence against women and children, rape, recruitment and use of children in attacks against civilians, in particular but not limited to Muslims, and attacks against places of worship, denial of humanitarian access, committed by both former?S?l?ka?elements and militia groups, in particular the ?anti-Balaka?.
Unanimously adopting resolution?2149?(2014), under Chapter?VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council also decided that the transfer of authority from the African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic (MISCA) to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) would take place on 15?September.
The text mandated the new Mission to focus initially on priority tasks such as protecting civilians; supporting for transition process; facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance; protecting United Nations personnel and properties; promoting and protecting human rights; supporting national and international justice and the rule of law; and ensuring the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation of former combatants.
By other terms of the text, the Council authorized the Secretary-General to deploy military enablers to MINUSCA ?before 15?September, to help its military and police components commence their mandated tasks immediately.? It further decided that the Mission may, under limited circumstances and on an exceptional basis, adopt urgent temporary measures to maintain basic law and order and fight impunity.? It also authorized the French forces in the Central African Republic, known as?Sangaris, to use all necessary means to support the Mission.
Edited/Published by: SB
