The African Union Condemns the armed attacks perpetrated in the Central African Republic

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, December 13, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has been following with great concern the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR), following the armed attacks, launched on Monday, 10 December 2012, by a faction of the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR) supporting Michel Djotodia against the cities of Ndélé (in the north-central), as well as Sam Ouandja and Ouadda (north-east) of the CAR.

The Chairperson of the Commission strongly condemns these attacks, which constitute a flagrant violation of the Libreville Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and undermine the peace building efforts in the CAR. She urges the UFDR faction behind these attacks to withdraw immediately and unconditionally from all localities it occupies, and to cease all armed action. She urges further the group to join the ongoing dialogue process and to actively participate in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) program in the north eastern region of the country. More generally, the Chairperson of the Commission calls on the Government and all politico-military groups active on the ground to effectively implement the various Agreements they have concluded, including the CPA.

The Chairperson of the Commission recalls that, during its 345th meeting held on 6 December 2012, the Peace and Security Council (PSC) warned all those bent on undermining the process aimed at consolidating peace, security and stability in the CAR, and stressed that they would be held accountable for their acts. Against this background, the Commission will soon submit recommendations on possible sanctions against groups, including their leaders, who are undermining the ongoing efforts in the CAR.