The Secretary-General of the United Nations -UN Antonio Guterres has commended President Faustin Archange Touadéra of the Central African Republic’s announcement of an accord with armed groups.
Guterres who described the accord as a “critical step” is in line with a roadmap for peace adopted in September by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, an intergovernmental organization of 12 African countries.
President Touadéra during his announcement disclosed that the accord would lead to dialogue and greater protection of civilians.
Also, the Secretary-General called on all the other parties to immediately respect this ceasefire and renew efforts to advance the implementation of the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace, Reconciliation, and development and reiterated his commitment to continue mobilizing international support for the Government and people of the CAR.
The CAR has faced cycles of rebel violence since the 2013 ouster of former leader François Bozize, and despite the signing of an agreement between the Government and 14 armed groups two years ago.
A UN mission, known by the French acronym MINUSCA, has been in the country since 2014 with a mandate to protect civilians and support peace processes.