CAR In State Of Anarchy – UN

The Central African Republic (CAR) has slid into “a state of anarchy,” with massive unrest and large-scale displacement across the country, a UN envoy says.

There are “indiscriminate and often targeted killings, rampant rapes and assaults on the innocent population, flagrant recruitment of children as soldiers, looting of homes, not just of the rich but even of already struggling citizens,” AFP quoted Margaret Vogt, the UN representative to country, as saying to the UN Security Council on Wednesday.

The country has “collapsed into a state of anarchy,” Vogt told the council, adding that “there is an urgent need to help restore stability in the CAR. This should be done by deploying a neutral security force that would contain the current state of anarchy.”

She also called on the body to consider imposing sanctions against rebel groups for gross violations of human rights.

“We believe that the time is right for the council to consider the imposition of individual sanctions against the architects and perpetrators of these gross violations,” Vogt said.

On January 11, former CAR President Francois Bozizé and representatives of the Seleka rebels signed an agreement in Libreville, Gabon after three days of negotiations brokered by regional neighbors.

But the deal fell through, and Michel Djotodia, leading thousands of Seleka rebels, captured Bangui and proclaimed himself president after seizing power from Bozizé on March 24.

The Seleka fighters launched an offensive against the CAR government in December 2012.

There are many mineral resources, including gold and diamonds, in the Central African Republic. However, the country is extremely poor and has faced a series of rebellions and coups since it gained independence in 1960.

Press TV