Originally published on the CGS blog on February 20, 2014.
War has been declared, but is it enough?
It has been less than a week since Central African Republic (CAR) President Catherine Samba-Panza stated that she will “go to war” with the anti-Balaka, the Christian militia on what is widely seen as an ethnic cleansing mission against Muslim citizens. Now the UN OHCHR has advised that “authorities be will be held personally accountable for the serious human rights violations committed in the country,” according to the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay.
With reports of growing violence outside of the capital city of Bangui, the CAR is on the verge of spiraling into complete chaos. According to Ms. Pillay, Ex-Seleka members are now regrouping in the north which has sparked renewed violence including “scorched earth tactics” which include destroying villages and killing civilians.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon is set to brief the Security Council on the developing situation in the CAR, giving the international community a chance to act. A chance to take action and just provide political rhetoric and commentary while pledging money in hopes the problem will be resolved.
To ensure hundreds of thousands of innocent people won’t have died in vein, it is time to fulfill our promise, “never again”.
Take Action Here!
Tell President Obama that the United States should join other permanent members of the UN Security Council and commit to not using the veto in response to mass atrocities as are now occuring in CAR.
Why is the Responsibility Not to Veto important? It’s time for the Permanent Members of the Security Council (P5), the United States, Great Britain, France, China, and Russia, to agree that they will not use the veto when dealing with mass atrocities. More >>
