By: Yoshita Singh
United Nations: India has voiced concern over the “precarious” security situation in the Central African Republic following the recent presidential election,urging all opposition groups to cease hostilities and find a peaceful solution to the current crisis.
Speaking at a meeting on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) in the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, India’s Deputy Permanent Representative-Political Coordinator to the UN R Ravindra, said that given the history of political instability and violence, the situation in CAR warrants immediate attention from the international community.
“The precarious security situation in the Central African Republic since the presidential elections held last month is a matter of serious concern,” he said.
He noted with concern the “dangerous escalation” on the ground with the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), armed groups opposed to President Faustin-Archange Touadera, abandoning the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation signed in early 2019 and launching attacks on the capital Bangui and other towns.
Ravindra said while the holding of the second democratic elections on December 27 last year despite persisting challenges was no doubt an important milestone in the CAR, recent developments have the potential to derail the hard-earned progress made since 2019.
“We have seen similar post-electoral situations turning into a major crisis, affecting the larger region. Given the history of political instability and violence, the situation in CAR warrants immediate attention from the international community,” he said.
On Monday, the Central African Republic’s constitutional court validated the results and endorsed the outcome of the December elections in which Touadera had garnered 53 per cent of ballots cast.
India called on all opposition groups, particularly signatories to the Peace Agreement, to cease hostilities immediately and join the CAR authorities in finding a peaceful solution to the current crisis.
“It is imperative for all stakeholders to respect the final verdict by CAR’s Constitutional Court and settle their disputes through a peaceful process,” Ravindra said.
India also welcomed Touadera’s statement where he underscored the importance of reconciliation and that of willingness to work with the opposition.
