The Central African Republic will hold the first round of voting in presidential and parliamentary elections on December 27 local time.
The spokesman of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dugarik, said on December 21 local time that at the weekend, armed groups in the country launched an attack during the election campaign, and United Nations peacekeepers performed their duties and exchanged fire with armed groups.
Dugarik quoted MINUSCA as saying that political and security tensions in the Central African Republic increased on the eve of the general elections, and a coalition of armed groups attacked four provinces in the west and south of the country at the same time last weekend and attempted to march into the capital Bangui.
Peacekeeping personnel of the United Nations MINUSCA volunteered to respond, exchanged fire with armed elements in many areas, and no injuries were reported.
Dugarik said the UN “will continue to maintain communication with all stakeholders in the Central African Republic, work closely with partners, work to ease tensions, encourage all parties to resolve concerns through peaceful means, and ensure elections proceed as planned.”
The Permanent Representative of South Africa to the UN, the Council’s presidency this month, said, “The members of the Council condemn in the strongest terms the violations of the Peace Agreement and the violence committed by armed groups and other armed personnel.”
According to media reports, on December 19th local time, the government of the Central African Republic accused former President Bozizé of allying with some armed groups in an attempt to postpone the election, which Bozizé’s spokesman denied on the 20th.
