Photo: HDPTCAR

Rebels in northern Central African Republic.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Office of the Spokesperson

STATEMENT BY VICTORIA NULAND, SPOKESPERSON

The United States is deeply concerned about the continued deterioration in the security situation in the Central African Republic (CAR). We call on President Bozize and the leadership of the Seleka alliance to cease hostilities immediately, and implement the provisions of the Libreville Agreement.

The Economic Community of Central African States (CEAAC) should rapidly convene the mediation committee called for by the Libreville Agreement in order to support the transitional government and help restore national peace and security.

The Government of National Unity is the single, representative entity agreed to by all the parties in the Libreville Agreement to govern the country in this critical transitional period.

Parties should therefore act within this political framework and refrain from acts that undermine it. We strongly urge regional leadership and the international community to adhere to the Libreville Agreement and provide their full support to Prime Minister Tiangaye and his government.

The United States urgently calls on the Seleka leadership and on the CAR government to ensure that their forces respect the human rights of the Central African people.

We are very concerned by the worsening humanitarian situation in CAR and credible, widespread reports of human rights abuses by both national security forces and Seleka fighters. Perpetrators of such abuses must be held accountable.