Central African Republic’s Interim President Seeks Tougher Mandate For UN Mission

Central African Republic’s interim President, Catherine Samba-Panza, on Saturday called for a tougher mandate for the United Nations’ mission, MINUSCA, and the disarmament of militias and rebels after more than 40 people were killed in Bangui, the country’s capital.

Samba-Panza, who returned early from the

UN General Assembly in New York this week because of the unrest, also declared three days national mourning for the victims, starting on Monday.

The murder of a Muslim man last weekend rekindled sectarian violence that has plagued the mostly Christian nation of 4.5 million people since Muslim Seleka rebels briefly seized power in March 2013, Reuters reported.

Scores of homes were burnt, while shops and aid organisations’ offices were looted in the riverside capital, severely hampering humanitarian operations.

More than 40,000 people were displaced, according to UN figures, and the violence ended any hopes of holding elections scheduled for October 18. Samba-Panza has blamed the latest unrest on supporters of former president Francois Bozize, who was ousted in 2013 by mainly Muslim rebels who fought under the umbrella group Seleka.

Many shops reopened on Saturday and people returned to the streets. Isolated acts of criminality were reported, however, and a night-time curfew remains in place.