The United Nations Security Council has decided to renew the arms embargo against the Central African Republic for yet another year and added the criteria that could lead to new sanctions. The resolution that was passed unanimously was sponsored by France.
Along with extending the arms embargo, it condemns using religion or ethnicity to incite violence. It says anyone who carries out such crimes will face sanctions. “Acts of incitement are a scourge for CAR and are at the root of violence that has resulted in too many victims among civilians and blue helmets [U.N. peacekeepers],” French Ambassador Francois Delattre told the Security Council. “There will be no lasting peace in CAR if these acts of incitement continue, and the council will shoulder its responsibilities.”
CAR has been plagued by violence since Muslim Rebels overthrew the Christian President in 2013 and as such prompting retaliation from the latter and thousands of deaths and millions of refugees from both sides.
