Brussels, 11/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - Extremely concerned by the continuing abuses committed by the militia and armed groups in the Central African Republic (CAR), and by the scale of the security and humanitarian crisis affecting almost half of the civilian population, the EU foreign affairs ministers called, on Monday 10 February, for an end to impunity and for the engagement of all parties in the political process before conducting elections at the beginning of 2015. The same day, the decision was taken to implement the EURFOR RCA military operation to provide temporary support for the creation of a safe and secure environment in the Bangui area, with a view to handing over to African partners (see EUROPE 11015).
The Foreign Affairs Council conclusions strongly condemn the continuation of violence and the acts of reprisal that are having dramatic consequences for the civilian population and serious implications for the region of Central Africa. The conclusions also urge all the parties to cease the human rights and international humanitarian law violations immediately. The EU hails the efforts of MISCA and the French Sangaris operation and reiterates its commitment to accompanying the new transition authorities in their efforts to implement the transition agreement, re-establish public order, work towards national reconciliation and respond to the needs of the population.
“We have reacted promptly to the serious crisis affecting the Central African Republic. We are using the instruments that we have available - whether it be humanitarian aid, political support for the transition or our long-term development cooperation. However, the absolute priority is to protect the civilian population from new acts of violence, to bring it about that citizens from the Central African Republic can live without fear and begin to rebuild their country, and to ensure that humanitarian aid can get through. The deployment of EUFOR RCA will take place as soon as possible so as to support the remarkable efforts undertaken by France and our African partners”, said High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton at the end of the Foreign Affairs Council.
The EU welcomes the election of the new of head of state of the transition, Catherine Samba-Panza, and the appointment of a new transition government led by André Nzapayeke, who must ensure the transition process is relaunched. The EU calls on them to cooperate in order to tackle the alarming security situation and to meet the complex challenges facing the country, and the EU reiterates the primary responsibility of the national transition authorities to guarantee the protection of the civilian population. The EU calls on all the stakeholders to engage in a constructive and peaceful manner in the transition process with a view to holding elections in February 2015 at the latest.
The EU hails the appointment of members of the international committee in charge of investigating the international humanitarian law and human rights violations committed since 1 January 2013 in the CAR, and it welcomes Samba-Panza's commitment to fighting impunity. The EU encourages the religious leaders to continue their initiatives for reconciliation and interfaith cohabitation, and it calls on the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) to continue it facilitation of the political transition process, along with the African Union. (AN/transl.fl)