The United Nations (UN) has called attention to the human rights situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) following tensions arising from the July constitutional referendum.
Development Diaries reports that the results of the referendum, which among other modifications removed limits for presidential term, were upheld by CAR’s constitutional court on 21 August.
It is understood that 95 percent of the voters had supported the constitutional amendments to allow incumbent President Faustin-Archange Touadéra to contest for a third term.
But an independent UN expert, Yao Agbetse, has expressed grave concern over the human rights situation in the country, calling for political dialogue and a new ‘climate of trust’.
An atmosphere of insecurity is being worsened by an increase in attacks by armed groups, particularly the Coalition des Patriotes pour le Changement (CPC) and the rise of the Azandé Ani Kpi Gbé group in the southeast.
‘Given the tensions and divisions arising from the constitutional referendum, the Central African authorities urgently need to engage all actors in a genuine political dialogue aimed at de-escalating the situation’, Agbetse said.
Armed groups’ direct attacks, such as those on villages, mines, farms, and roads, have an effect on the economy of the nation and lead to grave human rights violations.
Since 2012, CAR has struggled with war as fighting between the predominantly Christian anti-Balaka militia and the predominantly Muslim Séléka rebel coalition resulted in thousands of deaths.
The restoration of state authority is significantly hampered by insecurity, which also increases the need for humanitarian help.
Figures from the UN show that 17,820 refugees and asylum seekers from the Vakaga district, largely women and children, moved to Am-Dafock before relocating 65 kilometres from the border to Korsi near Birao over security reasons.
Development Diaries calls on CAR authorities to begin an honest political dialogue with all groups to ease the tensions and divisions resulting from the constitutional referendum.
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