UN peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic gets 12-month extension

The UN Security Council has extended the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic, known as Minusca, for another 12 months.

On Wednesday, 14 of the 15 council members decided to renew the mission, requesting that it continue to advance reconciliation and long-term peace through political, security, and institutional means.

Russia abstained from the vote after its representative said the resolution to extend the mandate contained some elements that did not reflect the current situation in the country.

The Kremlin has strengthened relations with the Central African Republic and has its Wagner mercenary group fighting in the government’s war against local insurgents.

In their operations, Russian and Central African forces have been accused of atrocities and breaches of human rights.

The UN mission in the Central African Republic is made up of 4,400 troops and 3,020 police officers whose priority is to protect civilians and preserve the country’s territorial integrity.

Rebel groups continue to stage attacks in several parts of the mineral-rich country, despite the 2019 agreement on peace and reconciliation.

The United Nations has kept its peacekeeping operation in the Central African Republic going since 2014, a year after a civil conflict threw the country into political turmoil.