Central African Republic welcomes Turkey's aid
World |
CAR Prime Minister told Anadolu Agency that he has discussed with Turkish officials how to resolve the crisis in CAR.
The Prime Minister of the Central African Republic (CAR), Andre Nzapayeke welcomed the possible participation of Turkey in the European Union Force for assistance and to help rebuild the judicial system in CAR, at a meeting Tuesday with Turkish President Abdullah Gul.
"We are very grateful to Turkey for everything it does to solve the crisis in CAR and we are happy that Turkey might be part of the EUFOR RCA," Nzapayeke told Anadolu Agency on his short visit to Ankara.
The European Union Force RCA, known as EUFOR RCA, is the United Nations-mandated European Union peacekeeping mission in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic.
The mission was established on February 10, 2014 and started operating at the end of April 2014.
Nzapayeke said that his visit comes "to strengthen cooperation between the two countries and also to seek solutions to the crisis in the CAR." He praised Turkey's efforts to this end.
The Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, had repeatedly stated that Turkey will consider all possibilities to help the establishment of peace in CAR.
"It was a great honor for us to meet the president, who has given us a lot of advice as an experienced politician and leader of a country that has, through its own forces, solidly built its economy. This is a very useful meeting which allowed us to better know Turkey and benefit from its experience," he said.
The Prime Minister of the Central African Republic also thanked Turkey for its humanitarian aid through the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency - TIKA.
In response to impunity of crimes in CAR, he stressed "CAR must first rebuild the security forces and the judiciary system, while seeking assistance from Turkey on it."
"We are rebuilding our police forces," he said.
"The judiciary system, the courts have been destroyed and we ask Turkey to help us to rebuild it as the current working conditions do not even allow judges to sit," said Nzapayeke.
He added that during the trial, armed groups with grenades and guns invaded the courtroom, threatened judges, defendants and released criminals. "All prisons were completely destroyed except Bangui prison."
CAR descended into anarchy a year ago when seleka rebels ousted the then president Francois Bozize, a Christian who had come to power in a 2003 coup. The rebels later installed Michel Djotodia, a Muslim, as an interim president.
Since then, the country has been plagued by tit-for-tat sectarian violence between Christian anti-balaka militias and Muslim former seleka fighters.
Anti-Muslim violence has escalated since January, when Catherine Samba-Panza, a Christian, was elected interim president.
Christians, who account for the majority of the country's population, accuse Muslims of supporting former seleka rebels blamed for attacking Christian homes, looting property and carrying out summary executions.
"We are very grateful to Turkey for everything it does to solve the crisis in CAR and we are happy that Turkey might be part of the EUFOR RCA," Nzapayeke told Anadolu Agency on his short visit to Ankara.
The European Union Force RCA, known as EUFOR RCA, is the United Nations-mandated European Union peacekeeping mission in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic.
The mission was established on February 10, 2014 and started operating at the end of April 2014.
Nzapayeke said that his visit comes "to strengthen cooperation between the two countries and also to seek solutions to the crisis in the CAR." He praised Turkey's efforts to this end.
The Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, had repeatedly stated that Turkey will consider all possibilities to help the establishment of peace in CAR.
"It was a great honor for us to meet the president, who has given us a lot of advice as an experienced politician and leader of a country that has, through its own forces, solidly built its economy. This is a very useful meeting which allowed us to better know Turkey and benefit from its experience," he said.
The Prime Minister of the Central African Republic also thanked Turkey for its humanitarian aid through the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency - TIKA.
In response to impunity of crimes in CAR, he stressed "CAR must first rebuild the security forces and the judiciary system, while seeking assistance from Turkey on it."
"We are rebuilding our police forces," he said.
"The judiciary system, the courts have been destroyed and we ask Turkey to help us to rebuild it as the current working conditions do not even allow judges to sit," said Nzapayeke.
He added that during the trial, armed groups with grenades and guns invaded the courtroom, threatened judges, defendants and released criminals. "All prisons were completely destroyed except Bangui prison."
CAR descended into anarchy a year ago when seleka rebels ousted the then president Francois Bozize, a Christian who had come to power in a 2003 coup. The rebels later installed Michel Djotodia, a Muslim, as an interim president.
Since then, the country has been plagued by tit-for-tat sectarian violence between Christian anti-balaka militias and Muslim former seleka fighters.
Anti-Muslim violence has escalated since January, when Catherine Samba-Panza, a Christian, was elected interim president.
Christians, who account for the majority of the country's population, accuse Muslims of supporting former seleka rebels blamed for attacking Christian homes, looting property and carrying out summary executions.
Similar News
