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                 UN to Authorize New Peacekeeping Force for CAR

   The United Nations Security Council is expected to adopt a resolution
   Thursday authorizing a new, expanded peacekeeping force for the Central
   African Republic.
   According to a draft seen by VOA, the measure calls for 10,000 soldiers
   and 1,800 police who would take over from an African force currently
   operating in the C.A.R.
   Six thousand African troops and 2,000 French troops have been unable to
   contain sectarian violence that has killed thousands of people. The
   resolution says the U.N. force should incorporate as many troops as
   possible from the African force, which is known as MISCA.
   The peacekeepers would begin working on September 15.
   Samantha Power, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, was in the
   C.A.R. on Wednesday, and told MISCA troops that the prospects for the
   U.N. force "will be made more bright or more daunting" by their actions
   between now and then.
   She said the United States supports them, and that the world also needs
   to do more to provide humanitarian aid for those affected by the
   fighting. Power announced another $22 million in aid this year for
   things like food, sanitation and healthcare.
   The U.N. refugee agency reported this week it had received 20 percent
   of the $112 million it needs this year for its response to the crisis
   in the Central African Republic.
   The crisis has forced more than 326,000 refugees to flee to neighboring
   countries and has displaced more than 630,000 people within the C.A.R.
   Both of those numbers skyrocketed in December along with a spike in
   violence.
   The U.N. has been considering for months how to try to help restore
   order in the C.A.R. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon presented the
   Security Council with a range of options in November, including the
   idea of a U.N. peacekeeping force.
   Mr. Ban specifically proposed the move last month, saying the country
   was facing an "alarming crisis."
   Since then, the violence has continued. Attacks by largely Christian
   militias, known as anti-balaka, have prompted most of the Muslim
   minority to flee their homes, with many going to neighboring countries.
   On Wednesday, local authorities and witnesses told VOA at least 30
   people were killed when anti-balaka militants launched an attack in the
   central town of Dekoa. Most of the victims of Tuesday`s attack were
   civilians.
   Local authorities and witnesses say the anti-balaka fighters apparently
   mistook civilians for the mostly Muslim Seleka rebels.
   Anti-balaka militias formed last year in response to a wave of killing
   and looting, mostly by Seleka forces.
   During a visit Saturday to the C.A.R. capital of Bangui, Mr. Ban urged
   the council to act quickly on his recommendation for an expanded
   peacekeeping force.
   He also called on the C.A.R.`s leaders to do more to stop what he
   called "ethno-religious cleansing." The U.N. chief has previously said
   he is concerned the violence could lead to the country being divided.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/un-to-authorize-new-peacekeeping-forc
   e-for-car/1890197.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/un-to-authorize-new-peacekeeping-force-for-car/1890197.html