Latest news with #FrançoisBozizé
Winnipeg Free Press
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
UN peacekeeper killed in attack by armed men in Central African Republic
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — A United Nations peacekeeper was killed during an attack by armed men in Central African Republic, the UN said on Tuesday as the Security Council expressed concerns over growing attacks against peacekeepers in the country. A Zambian peacekeeper was killed Friday when suspected Sudanese armed groups attacked a U.N. peacekeeping patrol team close to the country's northern border with Sudan in the village of Am-Sissia 1, according to a statement from the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. A second peacekeeper was injured and is undergoing medical treatment. The victim was identified as 33-year-old Stephen Muloké Sachachoma, a member of the Zambian military with MINUSCA, the U.N. peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic. It marked the third attack this year against the U.N. peacekeeping mission in the country, often carried out by armed groups vying for control and targeting security forces in conflict-hit areas. 'The members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern over the increasing number of attacks against peacekeepers in the Central African Republic,' said the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Central African Republic has been battling conflict since 2013, when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power and forced then President François Bozizé from office. A 2019 peace deal only partially lessened the fighting, and six of the 14 armed groups that signed it later withdrew from the agreement. The country is among the first in Africa to welcome Russia-backed forces, with Moscow seeking to help protect authorities and fight armed groups. However, these forces have been accused of human rights violations and, in some cases, exacerbating security issues. ____ AP's Africa coverage at:
NBC News
21-02-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Britain accuses Russia of planning to interfere in upcoming Central African Republic elections
UNITED NATIONS — Britain accused Russia on Thursday of planning to interfere in upcoming elections in the Central African Republic, and the U.S. alleged that Moscow was seeking to steal the gold and diamond-rich country's resources. Russia's deputy United Nations ambassador Anna Evstigneeva responded by telling the U.N. Security Council, 'It is surprising that our U.S. and U.K. colleagues continue whipping the dead horse of their campaign to smear the Russian Federation.' Central African Republic, known as CAR, has been in conflict since 2013, when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power and forced then- President François Bozizé from office. It is one of the first African countries in which Kremlin-backed Wagner mercenaries established their operations on the pledge of fighting rebel groups and bringing back peace — and Moscow's government and military ties have grown. U.N. special envoy for CAR Valentine Rugwabiza told the council that upcoming local, legislative and presidential elections are 'a significant opportunity' to extend state authority, lay the foundation for decentralized governance and contribute to addressing the root causes of recurring conflict in CAR. Britain's deputy U.N. ambassador James Kariuki agreed, saying that 'the elections should be an important milestone in expanding the political participation of all individuals in CAR.' 'However, the U.K. has information that proxies directed by the Russian state have plans to interfere with CAR elections, including through suppressing political voices and conducting disinformation campaigns to interfere in political debate,' he said, without giving more details or evidence. Kariuki said the proxies — whom he did not identify — are disregarding CAR's sovereignty 'to secure continued support for their destabilizing objectives' and are jeopardizing a U.N. Security Council mandate to help support inclusive, free and fair elections. U.S. minister-counselor John Kelley told the council that the U.N. peacekeeping force in CAR, known as MINUSCA, is the key and 'least costly way' to ensuring the country's sovereignty and independence. It can promote security and stability, work with the government to expand state authority, create conditions for peace and economic development, and report on human rights challenges, he said. But regrettably, Kelley said, 'It is clear Kremlin-backed actors purporting to be security partners are undercutting the Central African Republic Republic's authority and undermining peace with the primary goal of stealing CAR resources without contributing to its development.' 'Such manipulation harms the civic space and impedes democratic development,' he said. He didn't provide other details or evidence. Russia's Evstigneeva responded that CAR's government, supported by the U.N. and partners, has made considerable gains in recent years in fighting illegal armed groups and ensuring state control over 90% of the country's territory. 'Russia intends to further extend comprehensive assistance to the friendly country of CAR on a mutually respectful and equal basis in the interest of having definitive peace and security,' she said.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UK accuses Russia of planning to interfere in upcoming Central African Republic elections
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Kingdom accused Russia on Thursday of planning to interfere in upcoming elections in the Central African Republic and the U.S. alleged that Moscow was seeking to steal the gold and diamond-rich country's resources. Russia's deputy United Nations ambassador Anna Evstigneeva responded by telling the U.N. Security Council, 'It is surprising that our U.S. and U.K. colleagues continue whipping the dead horse of their campaign to smear the Russian Federation.' Central African Republic, known as CAR, has been in conflict since 2013, when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power and forced then-President François Bozizé from office. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. It is one of the first African countries in which Kremlin-backed Wagner mercenaries established their operations on the pledge of fighting rebel groups and bringing back peace — and Moscow's government and military ties have grown. U.N. special envoy for CAR Valentine Rugwabiza told the council that upcoming local, legislative and presidential elections are 'a significant opportunity' to extend state authority, lay the foundation for decentralized governance and contribute to addressing the root causes of recurring conflict in CAR. Britain's deputy U.N. ambassador James Kariuki agreed, saying that 'the elections should be an important milestone in expanding the political participation of all individuals in CAR.' 'However, the U.K. has information that proxies directed by the Russian state have plans to interfere with CAR elections, including through suppressing political voices and conducting disinformation campaigns to interfere in political debate,' he said, without giving more details or evidence. Kariuki said the proxies — whom he did not identify — are disregarding CAR's sovereignty 'to secure continue support for their destabilizing objectives" and are jeopardizing a U.N. Security Council mandate to help support inclusive, free and fair elections. U.S. minister-counselor John Kelley told the council that the U.N. peacekeeping force in CAR, known as MINUSCA, is the key and 'least costly way' to ensuring the country's sovereignty and independence. It can promote security and stability, work with the government to expand state authority, create conditions for peace and economic development, and report on human rights challenges, he said. But regrettably, Kelley said, 'It is clear Kremlin-backed actors purporting to be security partners are undercutting the Central African Republic Republic's authority and undermining peace with the primary goal of stealing CAR resources without contributing to its development." 'Such manipulation harms the civic space and impedes democratic development,' he said. He didn't provide other details or evidence. Russia's Evstigneeva responded that CAR's government, supported by the U.N. and partners, has made considerable gains in recent years in fighting illegal armed groups and ensuring state control over 90% of the country's territory. 'Russia intends to further extend comprehensive assistance to the friendly country of CAR on a mutually respectful and equal basis in the interest of having definitive peace and security,' she said.
Associated Press
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
UK accuses Russia of planning to interfere in upcoming Central African Republic elections
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Kingdom accused Russia on Thursday of planning to interfere in upcoming elections in the Central African Republic and the U.S. alleged that Moscow was seeking to steal the gold and diamond-rich country's resources. Russia's deputy United Nations ambassador Anna Evstigneeva responded by telling the U.N. Security Council, 'It is surprising that our U.S. and U.K. colleagues continue whipping the dead horse of their campaign to smear the Russian Federation.' Central African Republic, known as CAR, has been in conflict since 2013, when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power and forced then-President François Bozizé from office. It is one of the first African countries in which Kremlin-backed Wagner mercenaries established their operations on the pledge of fighting rebel groups and bringing back peace — and Moscow's government and military ties have grown. U.N. special envoy for CAR Valentine Rugwabiza told the council that upcoming local, legislative and presidential elections are 'a significant opportunity' to extend state authority, lay the foundation for decentralized governance and contribute to addressing the root causes of recurring conflict in CAR. Britain's deputy U.N. ambassador James Kariuki agreed, saying that 'the elections should be an important milestone in expanding the political participation of all individuals in CAR.' 'However, the U.K. has information that proxies directed by the Russian state have plans to interfere with CAR elections, including through suppressing political voices and conducting disinformation campaigns to interfere in political debate,' he said, without giving more details or evidence. Kariuki said the proxies — whom he did not identify — are disregarding CAR's sovereignty 'to secure continue support for their destabilizing objectives' and are jeopardizing a U.N. Security Council mandate to help support inclusive, free and fair elections. U.S. minister-counselor John Kelley told the council that the U.N. peacekeeping force in CAR, known as MINUSCA, is the key and 'least costly way' to ensuring the country's sovereignty and independence. It can promote security and stability, work with the government to expand state authority, create conditions for peace and economic development, and report on human rights challenges, he said. But regrettably, Kelley said, 'It is clear Kremlin-backed actors purporting to be security partners are undercutting the Central African Republic Republic's authority and undermining peace with the primary goal of stealing CAR resources without contributing to its development.' 'Such manipulation harms the civic space and impedes democratic development,' he said. He didn't provide other details or evidence. Russia's Evstigneeva responded that CAR's government, supported by the U.N. and partners, has made considerable gains in recent years in fighting illegal armed groups and ensuring state control over 90% of the country's territory. 'Russia intends to further extend comprehensive assistance to the friendly country of CAR on a mutually respectful and equal basis in the interest of having definitive peace and security,' she said.
