CAR:Pressure On UN To Lift Arms Embargo

The Central African Republic, CAR, has been beset by civil strife since March 24, 2013 when President François Bozizé was overthrown by Séléka rebels. Though democratically-elected President Faustin-Archange Touadéra came to power in March 2016, rebels now control about 80 per cent of the country. Nevertheless, some 14 rebel groups and the CAR government are currently holding peace talks in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.

The United Nations Security Council on December 5, 2013 imposed an arms embargo on CAR, which it has renewed each year ever since. The current embargo expires on January 31, 2019. Recent government efforts, backed by partners, have seen the training of a number of army battalions to gradually regain control of the country. But they are poorly equipped to effectively carry out their tasks.

In a bid to pressure the UN Security Council not to renew the embargo when it expires this week, a number of CAR civil society and other groups over the weekend in the capital, Bangui, held protests demanding the non-renewal of the arms embargo. “No to renewal of arms embargo. Doing so will be sending wolf after people!” Radio Ndeke Luka cited Brigitte Andara, Mayor of Bangui Fourth Council, as saying.

The country’s bishops have also called on the United Nations to lift the embargo imposed on the supply of arms, military equipment and related assistance to non-state actors. Though it allows for the supply of arms to CAR security forces, this is subject to initial approval by the sanctions committee established by the reso...