CAR to beef up security

2008-03-26 20:23

Bangui - The Central African Republic's Prime Minister Faustin-Archange Touadera told his country's parliament on Wednesday that his number one priority was to beef up security forces.

"In order to reduce pockets of insecurity throughout the provinces, the capacities of our defence and security forces must be reinforced," he said.

"Security and the consolidation of peace are the pillars upon which all others in our programme are founded," he told lawmakers ahead of a vote to approve his government's programme.

"Without security and peace, there is no development. Re-establishing security right across our territory is an imperative for this government."

Since 2005, parts of Central Africa, especially the north west, have been gripped by violence between rebels and government forces and attacks on civilian traffic by highwaymen.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been driven from their homes, according to the United Nations.

Despite receiving assistance from neighbouring countries and the French army, Touadera's forces have struggled to contain the banditry.

- AFP