The Secretary-General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, has expressed optimism that building a new Central African Republic (CAR) is possible.
Guterres stated this when he met with the President of CAR, Faustin Touadéra and members of his Government on Wednesday, in a statement by his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric.
The Secretary-General said that he was making a visit of active solidarity to the conflict-torn country.
He called on “the international community to engage in the country because there is an opportunity to build a new Central African Republic that is peaceful, secure and prosperous”.
Guterres visited a compound of the Catholic Church in Bangassou, which is now home to more than 1,200 Muslim residents of the area, who had sought shelter from communal violence earlier this year.
The Secretary-General listened as a 14-year old Muslim girl named Fatimah explained her community’s situation and concerns, as well as their wish for reconciliation, the statement said.
In speaking to the assembled crowd, the Secretary-General expressed his personal solidarity with the people of Bangassou and urged them to work for reconciliation;
He, however, underscored that it would not be easy, excoriating politicians who use religion to divide communities that often worship the same God, all be it with a different name.
“He also urged religious leaders to live up to their responsibilities adding, “religious leaders need to be apostles for peace”.
The UN chief also reiterated the need to strengthen the UN Mission, MINUSCA, so it could better protect the population.
The Secretary-General and his party then travelled to Bangassou in the southeast of the country.
At the local UN Force camp, he laid a wreath to honour Moroccan and Cambodian soldiers killed earlier this year in the line of duty as UN forces tried to protect the population.
In addressing representatives of the contingents, he told them how proud he was to be one of their colleagues.
He commended their courageous efforts as they attempted to keep the peace in areas where all too often there is no peace to keep.