Clashes in CAR worry AU

2009-06-18 22:18

Addis Ababa - The African Union said on Thursday that it was concerned at the resurgence of armed clashes in the Central African Republic.

The peace and security council expressed "grave concern at the upsurge in armed attacks, acts of banditry and clashes between communities in some parts of the country".

The CAR government on Wednesday said 15 Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace (CPJP) rebels and three soldiers had been killed in the northwest in recent fighting.

The CPJP rebels have refused to sign a peace process with the government of President Francois Bozize, clashing repeatedly with troops in the northwestern region, which lies near the border with Chad.

The AU demanded the armed groups put an "immediate end to these attacks and join the political process to consolidate peace and stability in CAR".

In May last year, one rebel group, the Union of Democratic Forces (UFDR) signed a peace accord with the government and one of its leaders entered the government that was formed in January.

The pan-African body also expressed concern at the "continuous deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the CAR".

One of the world's poorest countries, CAR has been wracked for years by insecurity, with rebel groups, bandits and government troops blamed for widespread criminal activity.

It is due to hold presidential elections next year.

- AFP