Central African Republic: Violence displacing civilians

(New York, 26 January 2007):  Civilians in three prefectures in the North and Northeast of the Central African Republic (CAR) have reported the occurrence of summary executions, targeting of specific ethnic groups, and recurring partial or complete torching of villages. These are the findings of a United Nations Inter-Agency mission that recently returned from the area. Violence against civilians has led to the displacement of an estimated 40.000 residents in this area only, which is home to over 200,000 people. For fear of reprisals linked to the ongoing conflict between Government Security Forces and the armed opposition, the entire population of some centres left their home.

"The human suffering resulting from these egregious violations of human rights is appalling," said Margareta Wahlström, Acting Emergency Relief Coordinator. "Despite an absolute right of protection in times of conflict under international law, civilians are being targeted and persecuted. All parties to this conflict must take measures to ensure the safety of civilians, and they should remember that they will be held accountable for their actions, as we have seen elsewhere."

In several areas of the CAR the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) tripled during 2006. In the most affected areas, including some which the mission visited, a lack of development and widespread insecurity have plunged vulnerable populations into a situation of acute emergency. The Humanitarian Community Partnership Team (HCPT) estimates that one million people, amounting to a quarter of the population, are affected. As many as 220,000 Central Africans are displaced, including 20,000 refugees in Cameroon, 50,000 refugees in Chad and an estimated 150,000 IDPs. Insecurity remains the prime cause of displacement, as interviews with refugees and IDPs showed.

Decades of recurrent armed conflicts, political instability and poor governance have resulted in a near total absence of development. Today, the CAR stands as the seventh least developed country on earth. Its population is one of the poorest in the world with social indicators worsening steadily for 20 years. Estimates for 2003 put mortality of children under the age of five at more than 20 per cent. Basic infrastructure and social services, such as health and education services, are nearly non-existent outside the capital of Bangui.

In 2007, the United Nations is appealing for over US$ 49 million for the CAR. So far, less than 0.4 per cent or US$ 184,330 has been funded. In addition, Sweden and Ireland recently pledged US$ 2.8 million and US$ 2 million respectively. In 2006, 60 per cent of the total appeal of US$ 38 million was covered.

For further information, please call: Stephanie Bunker, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 917 892 1679; Kristen Knutson, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 9262; Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA-Geneva, +41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570.