The African Union reiterates its support to the regional efforts aimed at resolving the crisis in the Central African Republic

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 3, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, continues to follow closely the evolution of the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR). She welcomes the decision of the countries of the region to deploy additional troops on the ground, in order to avert a further deterioration of the situation that could, in particular, arise from the possible continuation of the offensive of the Seleka armed groups, which can only worsen the plight of the civilian population, plunge the CAR into a protracted cycle of violence and adversely affect regional security and stability.

Recalling AU's total rejection of any seizure of power by illegal means and resort to armed rebellion to further political claims, as well as its firm determination to combat these scourges, the Chairperson of the Commission takes note of the statement made by representatives of the armed groups to halt their military offensive and to participate in the negotiations scheduled to take place in Libreville, under the auspices of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). She calls on all the CAR stakeholders to negotiate in good faith, with a view to finding a lasting solution to the current crisis within the framework of an inclusive process that must address the root causes of the recurring instability in the CAR, including through improving governance and deepening democracy. The Chairperson of the Commission also stresses the obligation of both the government and the armed groups to refrain from any act of violence and other abuses against the civilian population in areas under their respective control.

The Chairperson of the Commission, while welcoming the calls made by several members of the international community for the rebellion to renounce its dangerous and unacceptable logic of guns, urges AU partners to lend all the necessary support to the efforts of ECCAS and the leaders of the region. She stresses that the AU Commission will spare no effort to facilitate the success of the steps being taken by ECCAS, within the framework of the decisions of the N'Djamena Extraordinary Summit of 21 December 2012 and the relevant AU instruments.