[ad_1]
João Lourenço, who was speaking at the New Year's greeting ceremony of the diplomatic corps in Angola, recalled that in the CAR, the rebel forces have reported worrying progress in the military field, where Portugal participates in the UN mission (Minusca).
"This fact worries us a lot, because the government of the CAR is conditioned and limited in its action to defend the national territory, security and protection of its country by the UN Security Council, which prevents it from providing 39, army of the means necessary to face the attacks of rebel groups operating in the country, "he said.
"We have repeatedly called upon us to re-examine this situation, which we believe unfair and dangerous," said João Lourenço, in the presence of 92 personalities of the diplomatic corps.
The RCA fell into chaos and violence in 2013, after the overthrow of the former president François Bozizé by several groups together in the so-called Séléka (which means a coalition in the local language), which triggered the opposition of other militia grouped under the name anti-Balaka.
The conflict in this country, the size of France and a population less than half of the Portuguese (4.6 million), has already caused 700,000 displaced and 570,000 refugees, and has put 2.5 million people in need of humanitarian aid.
The president's government, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, former prime minister who won the 2016 presidential election, controls about a fifth of the territory.
The rest is divided by 18 militias that seek above all money through kidnappings, extortion, blocks of communication channels, mineral resources (diamonds and gold, among others), theft of livestock and slaughter of elephants for the sale of ivory.
Portugal participates in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Mission for the Stabilization of the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), from the beginning of 2017, with a company of special troops, operating as a Rapid Reaction Force.
Portugal has 230 soldiers involved in CAR missions, including 180 in MINUSCA – a company of paratroopers and liaison officers – and 50 in the European military training mission – Central African Republic (EUMT-RCA).
The importance of Portuguese participation is further underlined by the fact that the 2nd commander of MINUSCA is General Marco Serronha and the commander of the EUMT-RCA is another Portuguese general officer, Brigadier General Hermínio Teodoro Maio.
[ad_2]
Source link
