United Nations Security Council press statement on the Central African Republic (06.06.2018)

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms all attacks, provocations and incitement to violence against Mission multidimensionnelle intégrée des Nations unies pour la stabilisation en Centrafrique (MINUSCA) by armed groups and other perpetrators.

KAMPALA, Uganda, June 6, 2018 – Security Council Press Statement on Attack against Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic:

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the attack on 3 June 2018 by armed elements against a patrol of the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) in the village of Dilapoko (prefecture of Mambere-Kadei) in the west of the Central African Republic, which resulted in one Tanzanian peacekeeper killed and 7 others injured.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of the peacekeeper killed, and to those of the peacekeepers injured, as well as to Tanzania and to MINUSCA. They wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms all attacks, provocations and incitement to violence against MINUSCA by armed groups and other perpetrators.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that attacks against peacekeepers may constitute war crimes and reminded all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law.  They called on the Government of the Central African Republic to swiftly investigate this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for MINUSCA and expressed their deep appreciation to MINUSCA’s troop- and police-contributing countries.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their strong support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Central African Republic, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, and for MINUSCA to assist the Central African Republic authorities and the people of the Central African Republic in their efforts to bring lasting peace and stability, as mandated by the Security Council in resolution 2387 (2017).

Central African Republic crisis ‘breaks my heart’ says senior UN aid official (29.05.2018)

The already serious humanitarian situation in Central African Republic (CAR) has worsened amid a spike in violence which threatens to overtake almost every area of the country, a top UN aid official said on Monday.

NEW YORK, United States of America, May 29, 2018 –  One in four people has been displaced, according to Najat Rochdi, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for CAR, who said that this included areas that were formerly peaceful, such as the north and central zones.

Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, Ms. Rochdi warned that severe acute malnutrition in six administrative regions is higher than 15 per cent – the emergency threshold – and infant mortality is at 18 per cent.

And amid severe funding shortages which have meant aid cut-backs, she told journalists in French: “It breaks my heart every time a child comes to me and says I’m hungry.”

Speaking later in English, she said: “Where you have kids, those little girls and little boys coming to you and looking at you and telling, ‘I’m hungry, I’m starving,’ it’s horrible, really horrible. Unfortunately the situation has worsened because we had in one year’s time an increase of 70 per cent of the internally displaced people. Meaning more children, more little girls and more little boys, meaning also that it’s a whole generation that is sacrificed because they are not going to school.”

She said it was very important to keep providing them with humanitarian assistance, which meant going beyond food distribution, beyond the access to water, beyond the access to health. “It’s just access to hope.”

Of the more than $515 million aid requirement needed in CAR for 1.9 million people, less than 20 per cent has been provided so far this year.

Fighting between the mostly Christian anti-Balaka militia and the mainly Muslim Séléka rebel coalition has plunged the CAR into civil conflict since 2012. A peace agreement was reached in January 2013, but rebels seized the capital, Bangui, in March of that year, forcing President François Bozizé to flee.

Concerned with the security, humanitarian, human rights and political crisis in the CAR and its regional implications, the Security Council authorized the deployment of a UN stabilization mission, known by its French acronym, MINUSCA, in 2014 with the protection of civilians as its utmost priority.

The humanitarian community distributed high-energy biscuits to 1,500 children and debilitated adults who suffered from starvation and thirst for more than 72 hours during an outbreak of violence in Mbomou Prefecture, Central African Republic in May 2017.

The country’s huge natural wealth – in the form of diamonds, gold and uranium – continues to fuel the fighting, Ms. Rochdi explained, adding that there was “absolutely no problem” in areas “where you don’t have that much to steal.”

The violence reached the capital, Bangui, at the beginning of the month after almost a year of relative stability.

In that incident, 70 people were killed in clashes between security forces and armed militia, and thousands were displaced.

Ms. Rochdi said that UN troops had to intervene after Muslims were denied healthcare access.

The town of Bambari has also seen armed groups return, despite becoming a “safe haven for all communities” since last year, the UN official added.

The militia aimed to put pressure on the government to grant them an amnesty but this would be a “disaster” for the country, Ms. Rochdi insisted, before adding that efforts to prevent impunity had been stepped up and had resulted in a Special Criminal Court, which is due to start work in CAR next week.

Some of its “first clients” would be “high-profile leaders of armed groups,” Ms. Rochdi said, adding that CAR was one of the most dangerous places on earth for humanitarians, with six people killed this year and attacks on aid workers and looting happening on a “regular” basis.

Yet despite the instability and fact that funding levels in 2017 were only 40 per cent of what was requested, she maintained that it still made a substantial difference on the ground and had helped to prepare communities to withstand future shocks too.

It meant that more than one million people had access to water, that 7,000 tonnes of humanitarian assistance were delivered and more than 60,000 children were given an education.

In addition, the aid ensured that more than 70,000 farming families received a vital seed allocation, helping them to become more self-sufficient.

More than 17,000 children from six to 59 months suffering from severe acute malnutrition were also given support.

The most important thing was that the people of CAR had some sense that they had a future, Mrs Rochdi said, adding that humanitarian assistance “is making the difference between life and death”.

Aid is also “the best way for all of us to sustain peace in CAR”, she added, since the funding gave communities hope.

Ye’ is now a lost-one: Gone Full-MAGA, Co-Signing Trump on a song!

“And I’ll never let my son have an ego

He’ll be nice to everyone, wherever we go

I mean I might even make him be Republican

So everybody know he love white people” – Kanye West from the ‘New Day’ off the ‘Watch the Throne’ (Released in 2011).

I really didn’t want to comment on Kanye West, because what is there to say. He swallowed the “red-pill” and taken it so hard. It is hard to say anything else. If it is marketing scheme or pure love of Republican values? Who knows at this point?

I do not know about his brotherly love, I knew he met with Donald Trump on the 13^th December 2016 and has continued from there. Who knows what really went down, as he has since then collected memorabilia and become brothers. Whatever that means for Trump who always needs some loyal snooze-buttons to further his agenda. As long as they steal the spotlight or not praising the President’s massive ego. Because that hurts him and then he will throw that person under the bus. Right now Ye is on the Trump-Train. For whatever reason that might be.

However, it is hard to make sense out of it, I had a feeling when he returned to Twitter, and was poetical and trying to mystic. That he had some sort of marketing plan behind it. Not like he would drop a project without any sort of foreplay. That wouldn’t be Ye. He needs the whole machine behind him, the orchestras and the whole company delivering the needs to played on every radio, be on the screens and be in talks of the town.

Now he steering into controversy. That must be because the beat he created to the recent song with T.I. sucked. The beat was boring and pale. It will not turn into fine wine, let me tell you that. It was neither soul or the beats we recognized from the past. Maybe it general laziness or that the controversy supposed to overshadow the quality of the song.

When Ye drops line like this on the ‘Ye Versus the People’, which was released yesterday:

“I feel a obligation to show people new ideas

And if you wanna hear ’em, there go two right here

Make America Great Again had a negative reception

I took it, wore it, rocked it, gave it a new direction

Added empathy, care and love and affection

And y’all simply questionin’ my methods” – Kanye West (Ye Versus the People, 27.04.2018).

It is hard to hear these bars, these lines and take it as nothing. Because the man in the past didn’t sound like this. We all change, like I have had a personal political journey with life. But I have my reasons for my changes. Its been from a liberal to more socialist view, because of the visions of benefits for society. I wonder what is his reasoning for rocking it? What did he do, other than the meeting? Did he say to Trump to hire Ben Carson for having a brother inside the Cabinet? Because there aren’t any or much positive political policies for Ye’ kind or African-American Community, either less and harder policies hurting these communities. If it is immigration wise or if it economical. These communities are hit hard, also the suspension of government funded programs and so-on. There aren’t much or anything Trump has done to make better for Ye.

Therefore, I have to take some bars from College Drop-Out that was released on 2004:

“Now niggas can’t make it to ballots to choose leadership

But we can make it to Jacob’s and to the dealership

That’s why I hear new music and I just don’t be feelin’ it

Racism’s still alive, they just be concealin’ it” – Kanye West (Never Let Me Down from the College Drop-Out, Released 10.02.2004).

It’s hard to hear the same man praising Trump and his agenda. A man that has no scruples to misuse White Supremacy, Anti-Immigration Slogans and let the state misuse ICE-Agents against own citizens. To get the support and Co-Sign from Ye. That is not easy, that is hard. Especially, when Ye used spit like this. It is hard and weird. No matter what reasons, it is hard. He has changed and Trump gave him a reason to do so, I guess. But at this point in time, the Republican’s are concealing their racism. They are doing it with the Dreamers, Muslim-Ban and everything else they can hit on minorities.

Therefore, it is weird to have Ye on this side of the political spectrum. It is like he is blind, because the President is praising him for his efforts. Taking a cup of tea in the Twinkle Tower in Manhattan and sipping the Kool-Aid. Who knows, but is not intelligent.

Even some bars from the Late Registration:

“Went from bein’ a broke man to bein’ a dopeman

To bein’ the President, look there’s hope man

This that inspiration for the Moes and the Folks man

Shorty come and see his momma straight overdosin’” – Kanye West (Crack Music from the Late Registration, 30.08.2005).

I don’t know if he plans to drop inspirational bars like in the future, because he switched to Luxury Rap and self-involved material long time ago. Just like Lil Wayne has to spit about Codein, Sex and Haters. That is just the game for these guys. However, there has been a social conscious side of Ye’, it is still there, but a dramatic shift in topics and defense.

“See that’s the problem with this damn nation

All Blacks gotta be Democrats, man, we ain’t made it off the plantation” – Kanye West (Ye Versus the People, 27.04.2018).

It is the narrative that has shifted, the defense of his acts now. Instead of being social conscious, he is now taking a very ordinary defense of Trump. It is like if we don’t like him, we have to be democrats. But that hasn’t been the direct issue, if it was the older conservative party, it would still have cracks, but it would have made more sense. That is why Powell and Rice was in the Bush administration. An Administration Ye’ spoke ill about, which did far less damage to the African-Community, than the current one. Even if the Bush Administration didn’t care much, they didn’t stop vital programs for the inner-cities and the poorest communities, in the same fashion as Trump. So the issues are really something significantly changed within the artist and person, Kanye West. Which wasn’t there in the past.

He is not the guy I used to listen too. Ye is gone full-MAGA. He will soon have talks directly with Tomi Lahren, be on Diamond & Silk, Hannity and whatever else craziness. Maybe even be on Fox & Friends and also InfoWars. Because why not? The hat shouldn’t be enough. If that is all, then it was easy treat from the President, instead of giving Ye something good for the time and energy. He is giving low-cost attribution for the Co-Sign and only one losing Ye. A fair trade for the President, indeed. 

That is a victory for Trump in all of this, he get a Co-Sign and it cost him nothing. Not even 130k pay-off. Just barely minimum and a signature. Better then the rip-offs of Trump University. Ye took and shake his hand, thought he was brilliant and moved to become a supporter. If so. Kudos Ye, your not as socially conscious as I thought you were, your spirit wasn’t as enlighten as I thought. Because, the possibility of getting caught in the world-wind took you and now, you were let astray. Peace.

Joint Communiqué of the African Union and the United Nations on the Peace Process and the Situation in Bangui (12.04.2018)

BANGUI, Central African Republic, April 12, 2018 –

Joint Communiqué of the African Union and the United Nations on the Peace Process and the Situation in Bangui:

We, representatives of the African Union and the United Nations, decided to undertake a joint visit to the Central African Republic (CAR) to express our solidarity and full support to the Central African people and for the peace process in the Central African Republic. We also share a message of complete unity and common resolve of the African Union and the United Nations.

We are pleased in this regard that our visit coincides with the first meeting in Bangui of the International Support Group for CAR since the country’s return to constitutional order. During our visit, we will have the opportunity to talk with the Central African authorities, and have also held talks with President Touadéra.

Having arrived yesterday, we are also concerned about persistent tensions in the PK5 neighbourhood of Bangui. The operations conducted by the Government and MINUSCA on 8 April were aimed at putting an end to the activities of criminal elements that endanger the lives of peaceful citizens, in a neighbourhood that is also the economic hub of Bangui.

In these difficult times, we wish to express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and we deplore the many wounded, to whom we wish a speedy recovery.

Above all, we wish to emphasize that this operation to restore order and State authority has the sole purpose to protect the people who seek our protection against the criminal elements who oppress them. We want to make it clear that we are determined to act to protect the entire population, across the country.

We strongly deplore and condemn the attempts to instrumentalise this operation, as well as the attacks perpetrated against peacekeepers, about 20 of whom have been wounded, and one who succumbed to his wounds.

We would like to remind you that any attack against peacekeepers is a war crime. Their authors and those who support them will certainly have to answer for their crimes in court.

We also wish to express that an offer of a peaceful settlement had previously been made to the targeted groups, who rejected it.

Finally, we wish to emphasize that, in close coordination with the Government of the Central African Republic, we are ready to use all means available to the international community to create conditions for the restoration of peace in CAR. Among these means, dialogue will be our first action followed by, if necessary, the use of force.

Our joint presence here, in collaboration with the Central African Government, is intended to reaffirm our unambiguous commitment to the African Initiative for Peace and Reconciliation in CAR, which, as the United Nations Security Council has stated, represents the only way forward to exit from crisis.

To the people of Bangui, we also call for calm. We ask them not to be victim to rumours and manipulation. Your authorities are working hard with MINUSCA to restore public order and ensure the protection of all civilian populations, without distinction.

Signed,

Mr Smaïl Chergui
Peace and Security Commissioner of the African Union

Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix
Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations

UPDF Disengages from the Central African Republic (19.04.2017)

Note to Correspondents on the investigations into allegations ‎of sexual exploitation and abuse against peacekeepers deployed in the Central African Republic (05.12.2016)

The Office of Internal Oversight Services has concluded its investigative process on the allegations ‎of sexual exploitation and abuse against Burundian and Gabonese contingents deployed in Dekoa, Kemo prefecture, in the Central African Republic. 

These allegations referred to incidents between 2014 and 2015. OIOS has conducted joint investigations with Burundian and Gabonese national investigative officers. Investigations started in April 2016, a few days after the allegations were brought to the attention of the United Nations and lasted for more than four months. The investigators relied primarily on the testimony of possible victims and witnesses given the lack of medical, forensic or any other physical evidence. This was due to the fact that the majority of the allegations referred to incidents that took place a year or more earlier. Everyone who came forward with claims, both minors and adults, were assisted by national and international partners.

Overall, 139 possible victims were interviewed and their accounts were investigated. By means of photo array and/or other corroborating evidence a total of 41 alleged perpetrators (16 from Gabon and 25 from Burundi) were identified by 45 interviewees; eight persons were unable to identify perpetrators through photo array or other corroborating evidence but were able to describe some distinctive traits; 83 were not able to identify perpetrators or provide corroborating evidence; and three accounts were considered unreliable. A total of 25 minors asserted they had been sexually abused. A total of eight paternity claims were filed, including by six minors.

The United Nations has shared the OIOS report with both Member States, including the names of the identified alleged perpetrators and has requested for appropriate judicial actions to ensure criminal accountability.

Responsibility for further investigations lies with Burundi and Gabon. The United Nations has requested from the Burundian and Gabonese authorities that they review the OIOS findings and conduct the interviews of the alleged perpetrators who had all been rotated out from Central African Republic before the allegations surfaced. The United Nations has asked for a copy of the final national investigation reports to be transmitted urgently.
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The alleged perpetrators, if allegations against them are substantiated, and, if warranted, their commanding officers, will not be accepted again for deployment in peacekeeping operations.

MINUSCA has strengthened its prevention measures and reinforced its outreach among communities and peacekeepers across the country, especially in high-risk areas to improve awareness and reporting on sexual exploitation and abuse and other forms of misconduct. The Mission is also regularly monitoring conditions and behaviour of mission’s personnel and has partnered with United Nations agencies and implementing partners in Central African Republic that provide psychosocial, medical and legal assistance to victims of sexual exploitation and abuse.

The United Nations condemns, in the strongest terms, all acts of sexual exploitation and abuse committed by peacekeepers or any other UN personnel and will maintain follow up so that perpetrators of these abhorrent acts are brought to justice.

Leaked U.N. E-Mails: Show’s proof of new cases of Sexual Exploitations by the DRC Battalion under the MINUSCA mandate in C.A.R.