UN ends arms embargo for Central African Republic, in what government sees as sign of confidence
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council on Tuesday formally ended an arms embargo on the Central African Republic, a largely symbolic move but one that was welcomed by the country’s government as a sign of confidence as it seeks to end more than a decade of intercommunal conflict.
The unanimous vote essentially reaffirmed a resolution approved last year that permitted weapons to be supplied to government forces, but not to other fighters.
The new resolution was keenly sought by the African nation, which saw the enduring reference to the 11-year-old embargo as an unwarranted blemish on its government and its attempts to make progress toward peace.
“This diplomatic victory is a first step that gives dignity back to the CAR and its people,” Foreign Minister Sylvie Baïpo-Temon told the council, saying it had “honored the effort made, and it is a source of national pride.”
The mineral-rich but impoverished country has been in conflict since 2013, when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power and forced the president from office. Mostly Christian militias fought back. A 2019 peace deal lessened but didn’t end the fighting. Six of the 14 armed groups that signed the agreement later left it.
