United Nations, Nov 14 (AFP) The United Nations hasopened an independent investigation to determine whether UNpeacekeepers responded appropriately to an outbreak of recentviolence in the Central African Republic.
A team led by retired Brigadier-General Fernand MarcelAmoussou of Benin will arrive in the country on Tuesday andcarry out the investigation until November 28.
"The investigation will look into attacks againstcivilians by armed groups that occurred in close proximity toa presence of the UN Mission in the Central African Republic(MINUSCA) in Haute-Kotto, Basse-Kotto, Mbomou and Haut-Mbomouprefectures, as well as the mission's response to theseincidents," said a UN statement.
It will focus on violence that occurred between May andAugust of this year.
In July, three Moroccan peacekeepers were killed in twoseparate attacks by suspected anti-Balaka fighters inBangassou, a predominantly Christian town that has been amongthe worst hit by violence.
Six UN troops and 66 civilians were killed in a separateattack by the anti-Balaka in May in which Muslim civilianssought refuge in a mosque that was initially protected byMINUSCA but the UN force later withdrew.
The mosque's imam was shot dead when he tried to leave.
UN troops later escorted the Muslims to a small seminaryowned by the Catholic Church. Around 2,000 are still there,but living in permanent fear of attack by the anti-Balaka.
The team will prepare a report with a view to determiningwhether the peacekeepers could have prevented the violence andbetter protected civilians.
The Central African Republic has been struggling toreturn to stability since the country exploded into bloodshedafter the 2013 overthrow of longtime leader Francois Bozize bythe mainly Muslim Seleka rebel alliance.
France intervened militarily to push out the Selekaalliance, but the country remains plagued with violencepitting groups competing for control of resources and areas ofinfluence.
MINUSCA deployed in 2014 with a strong mandate to protectcivilians.
On Wednesday, the Security Council is expected to bolsterthe mission with 900 extra peacekeepers, bringing MINUSCA'sforce level to about 13,750. (AFP)AJR.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.