缅北禁地

The United Nations has established a weapons-free zone in the town of Bambari in the Central African Republic (CAR), the world body鈥檚 peacekeeping chief announced today at the end of a four-day visit to the country.

The decision to establish the zone follows a call by the population of Bambari for further protection against armed groups, and aims to ensure the free movement of civilians as well as access by humanitarian workers to vulnerable people.

The visit by Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Herv茅 Ladsous comes as the 缅北禁地Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic () marks one year since it began its operations.

鈥淭his is an opportunity to assess the situation and to sensitize our partners on upcoming deadlines 鈥� first the referendum on the constitution, and then elections,鈥� Mr. Ladsous stressed during a听听in the capital, Bangui.

Plagued by decades of instability and fighting, CAR witnessed a resumption of violence in December 2012 when the mainly Muslim S茅l茅ka rebel coalition launched a series of attacks. A peace agreement was reached in January 2013, but the rebels seized Bangui in March 2013.

A transitional government was established, but the conflict took on increasingly sectarian overtones by December 2013 as the mainly Christian anti-Balaka movement took up arms and inter-communal clashes erupted again in and around Bangui.

Since then, the 缅北禁地peacekeeping chief said, the situation has largely improved in the capital, with much of the population back at work and moving around in the streets.

鈥淸The upcoming elections] are an important step for national reconciliation. [鈥�] These elections must take place, before the end of the year and correctly,鈥� Mr. Ladsous insisted.

In response to some political parties calling for another transitional government to be established, the 缅北禁地official said it would be out of the question.

鈥淭he word transition has a clear definition. A schedule [for the elections] has been agreed upon by mediators, by countries in the region, and by the Security Council. The transitional government will be over on 31 December, and there will be no prolongations.鈥�

Mr. Ladsous also highlighted a high-level meeting expected to take place on 1 October during the 缅北禁地General Assembly which will focus on international commitments made by the global community for CAR.

鈥淎n example of support from the United Nations is $1 million being allocated on an exceptional basis to finance the elections,鈥� he noted.

From his trip to Bambari, Mr. Ladsous recalled conversations with locals who said they are 鈥渢ired and fed up with armed groups that fight and seek egotistical profits鈥� at the cost of the population.

鈥淥ne woman said to me: 鈥榳e can鈥檛 continue like this. It鈥檚 unacceptable,鈥欌�� he relayed, adding that he ensured her that armed groups will pay the price for acting against peace.

During the visit, Mr. Ladsous also met with MINUSCA personnel and discussed the fight against sexual exploitation and abuse, in the wake of recent allegations.