Central African Republic: Ban deplores recent attacks, urges end to ‘cycle of violence’

29 May 2014 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today strongly condemned recent attacks in the Central African Republic (CAR) and encouraged the country’s Transitional Authority to do everything within its means to prevent further violence and to hold the perpetrators to account.

“The Secretary-General calls for an immediate end to the cycle of violence and retaliatory attacks,” his spokesperson said, referring to fighting that broke out following a 2012 rebel-led coup and has since become more brutal with reports of ongoing human rights violations and clashes that have left 2.2 million in need of humanitarian aid.

Muslim rebels yesterday attacked Christians sheltering at the Church of Notre Dame de Fatima in Bangui, killing an unknown number of people, including the priest, and abducting others, according to a statement issued by the UN in New York.

The attack follows violence in the capital earlier in the week during which three Muslim youths were brutally killed by suspected anti-Balaka elements on their way to an inter-communal reconciliation football match.

In today’s statement, Mr. Ban encouraged CAR leaders and partners in the sub-region to work with the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in CAR (MINUSCA) to work towards “meaningful national dialogue and reconciliation in order to chart a sustainable path to peace.”

He also called on the international forces present in the country to take all necessary measures in support of these efforts.