UNITED NATIONS
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned Wednesday that the sectarian conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) could lead to the partition of the country.
Briefing the press on the recent developments in the war-wracked nation, Ban said the sectarian brutality could cause changes in the country's demographics as both Muslim and Christian communities had been murdered and forced to flee their homes.
"The de facto partition of the CAR is a distinct risk," he said.
Ban announced that Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Edmund Mulet was sent to the CAR to consult with African Union representatives on peacekeeping operations.
He also called for further international support to solve the deadlock in the country.
"We must do more to prevent more atrocities, protect civilians, restore law and order, provide humanitarian assistance and hold the country together."
The violence in the CAR has taken sectarian overtones since the conflict originally erupted when mainly Muslim Seleka rebels launched attacks in December 2012. Thousands of people are estimated to have been killed ever since, according to the U.N.
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