UN security council warns violators of CAR peace deal may face sanctions

U.N. Security Council warned Monday that armed groups violating a 2019 peace agreement in Central African Republic could face international sanctions, and it urged all signatories to stick to ir commitments and respond to cease-fire calls.

council in a statement welcomed progress in implementing agreement between government and 14 armed groups. But it strongly condemned violations by some armed groups, including attacks against civilians, suspending participation in accord, and fights over territory.

Council members said it's imperative to hold accountable those responsible for violating human rights and international humanitarian law.

U.N. peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix told council security situation “remains volatile, due to continued threats posed primarily by armed groups and militias against civilians, humanitarian workers, state authority and peacekeepers.”

He began his briefing strongly condemning an ambush Sunday of a joint U.N. peacekeeping and national defense forces patrol in rthwest Nana-Mambéré prefecture, allegedly by fighters from Return, Reclamation, Rehabilitation armed group kwn as 3R, that killed two Central African Republic soldiers and injured seven ors.

In rthwest, 3R — a signatory to peace agreement — is continuing to expand and challenge state authority, Lacroix said.

In rast, he said violent clashes between rival factions of Popular Front for Renaissance of Central Africa, or FPRC, that began in April “have exacerbated communal tensions in region and led to mass displacement of population.” FPRC is also a signatory to February 2019 agreement.

Mineral-rich Central African Republic has faced dely inter-religious and inter-communal fighting since 2013, when predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels seized power in capital, Bangui. Mostly Christian anti-Balaka militias fought back, resulting in killing of thousands and displacement of thousands.

country saw a period of relative peace in late 2015 and 2016, but violence intensified and spre afterward, and since signing of peace agreement intermittent serious incidents of violence and human rights violations have continued.

Lacroix said some armed groups, including signatories to peace agreement, have ackwledged U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ March 23 appeal for a global cease-fire “while at same time using violence for expansionist aims.”

He said political situation in country “remains fragile," dominated by preparations for presidential and legislative elections scheduled for December.

“Political tensions were amplified by an attempt by a group of parliamentarians from presidential majority to extend tenures of president and National Assembly in event that elections cant be held within constitutional timelines due to 'unforeseen circumstances,’” Lacroix said. “ proposal was rejected by Constitutional Court on June 5, which has helped to de-escalate political tension.”

U.N. peacekeeping chief said “political parties are forming coalitions, increasing public statements, anuncing candidacies for presidential elections and challenging legal frameworks for elections.”

To ease tensions, he said, re have been several joint engments with government, presidential majority, opposition parties and civil society organizations. But he stressed that all key players need to increase efforts “to find constructive and consensual solutions to se political and or issues, and refrain from any destabilization activity.”

Lacroix called on Security Council and international community “to be vigilant and remain engd as we approach se crucial elections.”

He said “important progress” has been me on electoral preparations including Monday’s launch of voter registration.

Security Council welcomed progress and called on international community to scale up financial and technical support for elections.

Council members urged government and all parties “to ensure dialogue and political consensus for holding of peaceful, free and inclusive elections, within constitutional timelines, and to dress any outstanding issues through peaceful dialogue and legal procedures.”

council also strongly cautioned against any attempt to destabilize government institutions as well as “disinformation campaigns and incitement to violence.”