Muthomi Ireri
On Tuesday, the United Nations Security Council unanimously decided to lift the arms embargo on the Central African Republic (CAR), which had been in place since 2013. The embargo was initially imposed after Muslim rebels overthrew President Francois Bozize, leading to violent clashes with Christian militias.
The embargo was partially eased last year when exemptions were made for government forces. The recent decision is seen by CAR’s Foreign Minister, Sylvie Baipo-Temon, as a significant milestone for both national and regional peace and stability. Despite this progress, the Security Council has urged nations to ensure that weapons do not end up in the hands of armed groups within the country.
A peace agreement from 2019 reduced, but did not eliminate, ongoing violence, and the UN peacekeeping mission, MINUSCA, continues to work towards mitigating conflict. MINUSCA is also involved in preparations for the first local elections in over three decades, scheduled for October.
The lifting of the embargo is viewed as a key step forward for CAR, signaling a renewed commitment to stability and diplomacy.
Dj Vnyash
Silverio Omari
