The African Union (AU) welcomes any external contribution to the peace settlement in the Central African Republic (CAR), provided that it complies with the organization's adopted initiative for peace
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 19th October, 2018) The African Union (AU) welcomes any external contribution to the peace settlement in the Central African Republic (CAR), provided that it complies with the organization's adopted initiative for peace and reconciliation and is coordinated with African nations, Francis Che, a spokesman for the AU peacekeeping mission to car (MISCA), told Sputnik, commenting on Russia's role as a mediator in the peace talks.
On Thursday, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni told Sputnik that Russia could become a mediator in the CAR crisis settlement and a guarantor of agreements between the country's government and opposition.
"Any external contribution is welcome, as long as it contributes to achievement of the African initiative for peace and reconciliation with different African countries and as long as it is in direct coordination with its representatives," Che said.
Che pointed out that CAR was a sovereign state and was free to choose its partners, reiterating that the African Initiative for Peace led by the AU and aimed at promoting reconciliation and inclusive governance still had to remain the only possible basis for the crisis settlement.
"Clearly it is not up to the African Union to define which role CAR's partners have to play. CAR is a sovereign state, with diplomatic relations with different states. It is not up to the AU to define the relations [CAR] has with other countries and its partners. However, the AU has to see the mobilization of political support through the African initiatives, because they have to be the only framework for the resolution of the crisis," Che added.
Since 2012, the country has been destabilized by the conflict between the Muslim armed group Seleka, Christian Anti-balaka militias and the government. In late August, Seleka and Anti-balaka signed a declaration of understanding after a Russia-brokered peace meeting in Khartoum.
The Russia-mediated talks in Khartoum ran parallel to those in the CAR town of Bouar, held under the aegis of the African Union.
