On the second day of his visit to the Central African Republic (CAR), Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN Peacekeeping Chief, met with Prime Minister Felix Moloua to discuss the country’s ongoing challenges and the steps needed to foster further progress.
The humanitarian and security situation in CAR has worsened since March, with escalating clashes between armed groups. Despite these challenges, notable progress has been made in stabilizing the country.
Lacroix highlighted several key areas of improvement during the meeting, including the redeployment of the state’s presence in conflict zones and successful stabilization efforts in various regions. He also pointed to advancements in disarming armed groups, with some groups withdrawing from conflict and reintegrating into civilian life.
“We reviewed several important developments, particularly the redeployment of the state’s presence and the stabilization efforts showing positive results in many areas, the progress in disarming armed groups, and the reintegration of some groups back into civilian life,” Lacroix said.
A significant topic of discussion was the upcoming national elections, set for next year. Lacroix stressed the importance of ensuring a smooth transition and a fair voting process. The UN, through its peacekeeping mission MINUSCA and international partners, is actively supporting preparations to ensure the elections are free and secure.
The meeting also addressed the protection of civilians and the reinforcement of the country’s commitment to international humanitarian law. Both Lacroix and Moloua emphasized the need for continued efforts to protect vulnerable populations amid the ongoing conflict.
