In a unanimous resolution adopted earlier this morning, the 15-member Council agreed to increase the number of 'blue helmets' serving in the UN mission in the CAR, also known by the acronym MINUSCA, by 750 military personnel, 280 police personnel and 20 corrections officers.

The UN body had deemed the situation in the African country remains “a threat to international peace and security” due to continuing clashes between the mainly Muslim Séléka alliance and anti-Balaka militia, which are mostly Christian.

More than two years of civil war and sectarian violence have displaced thousands of people in CAR. According to UN estimates, nearly 440,000 people remain displaced inside the country while some 190,000 have sought asylum across the borders.

At the same time, more than 36,000 people remain trapped within the landlocked country in enclaves across the country, hoping to find asylum in neighbouring States.

Moreover, the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) recently reported that some 1.5 million people in CAR remain food insecure amid ongoing hostilities throughout the country and cautioned that the figure was likely to rise should immediate support not be provided.

Photo: MINUSCA