UN condemns attack on aid workers in Central African Republic News
UN condemns attack on aid workers in Central African Republic

[JURIST] UN Humanitarian Coordinator and Deputy Special Representative for the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) [BBC backgrounder] Aurélien A. Agbénonci [UN profile, in French] on Monday strongly condemned [press release, PDF] an August 20 attack on humanitarian workers in the CAR city of Bambari. In the release, Agbénonci stated, “I…call on all belligerents to respect and protect humanitarian workers who provide assistance to thousands of people affected by the crisis in the country…. The humanitarian situation in the country is worrying and the principles of neutrality, independence and impartiality and the rules of international humanitarian law must be respected.” The UN mission in CAR, also known as MINUSCA [official website], has been in place since authorization in April 2014, and is tasked with protecting civilians.

Violence has persisted in CAR since the predominately Muslim-based Seleka rebels ousted former president François Bozize in March 2013. The turmoil has caused the homelessness or emigration of over 600,000 people since early 2013, leading some commentators to observe that the nation has a far way to go [JURIST report] on human rights issues. One significant step came earlier this month, when the National Transition Council, CAR’s temporary government, established a long-anticipated [JURIST reports] special criminal court to deal with pervasive accusations of crimes against humanity relating to the ongoing political conflict. The court will consist of 27 judges, including 14 from CAR and 13 from other countries.