Brazil expresses concern over Central African Republic crisis

Brazil expressed concern on Monday over the "deterioration of political and institutional framework in the Central African Republic (CAR)," where violence claimed hundreds of lives last week. "The Brazilian government supports the efforts of the Economic Community of Central African States and of the African Union towards promoting peaceful dialogue that allows the return of institutional normality in Central African Republic as soon as possible," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Nearly 300 people were killed last week when militants clashed with civilians in CAR capital Bangui.H The landlocked African country has suffered a humanitarian crisis since Seleka fighters attacked the government in December 2012, ending in March with the dismissal of president Francois Bozize. A transitional government established afterwards failed in its peace efforts due to new conflicts in the northern region of the country since August.