UN Security Council strongly condemns coup in CAR

The UN Security Council issued late Monday a statement “strongly” condemning the military-led coup by the Seleka coalition that toppled the government in Central African Republic and criticizing the ensuing violence and looting.The statement “condemned the use of force, causing deaths of and injuries to soldiers from the South Africa training contingent deployed in the Central African Republic at the request of the government.”The council said it intends to monitor closely the situation and, “if required, to consider further steps.” It did not specify the steps. The council issued the statement following lengthy closed-door discussions on the situation in CAR.The council said it noted Monday’s decision of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council to suspend CAR from the organization and the AU’s position taken against Seleka leaders whose action violated the Libreville agreements and jeopardized the precarious stability in CAR.“The members of the Security Council called on all parties to refrain from any acts of violence against civilians, including foreign communities, to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access consistent with international law, and to fully respect international human rights law and international humanitarian law,” the statement said.It said those responsible for violations and abuses of international humanitarian and human rights law, including violence against civilians, sexual and gender based violence and recruitment and use of children in armed conflict, must be held accountable.It called also for the restoration of the rule of law, constitutional order, and the implementation of the Libreville agreements. It said the agreement represented the framework for political transition and the basis for a peaceful solution in CAR.The members of the Security Council expressed their intention to monitor closely the situation and, if required, to consider further steps