The UN Security Council authorised increased military action by France and African troops in the Central African Republican to try to end near-anarchy amid an upsurge in Muslim-Christian violence, killings, torture and rapes.
The council unanimously approved a French-sponsored resolution today aimed at restoring security and protecting civilians in the landlocked country.
The resolution authorises the deployment of an African Union-led force for a year with a mandate to use "appropriate measures" to protect civilians and restore security and public order. The AU force, known as MISCA, is expected to increase its troop strength from about 2,500 to 3,500.
The resolution also authorises French forces, for a temporary period, "to take all necessary measures" to support MISCA.
France promised last week to send 1,000 troops to the Central African Republic following a warning from French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius that the former French colony "is on the verge of genocide." The Defense Ministry has said about 600 troops are in the country.
France's UN Ambassador Gerard Araud told the council after the vote that "people have been terrorised by militia carrying out atrocities" and warned that the country "is likely to fall apart in mass atrocities."
"History demands us to avoid the worst," he said, welcoming the robust mandate for the African and French troops.
Whether the French and African forces can save lives largely depends on how far the foreign soldiers venture outside the capital, Bangui, where gunfire was heard today morning, and into the lawless provinces. That's where mostly
Muslim rebels have been attacking Christian villages. Christian militias, known as anti-balaka, recently have launched retaliatory attacks, forcing thousands of civilians to take refuge in churches and mosques.
The resolution welcomes Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's intention to prepare for the possible transformation of MISCA into a UN peacekeeping operation. It asks the UN chief to provide recommendations for the possible transformation within three months. The council also asked the secretary-general to rapidly establish an international commission of inquiry to investigate allegations of rights abuses.
The resolution also imposes an arms embargo on the Central African Republic for a year and orders all countries to ban the sale or transfer of arms, ammunition, military equipment, spare parts and technical assistance and training.
