UN chief warns of partition in C. African Republic

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has warned of partition in the conflict-ridden Central African Republic (CAR).

The UN chief said at a press conference on Tuesday that “the de facto partition of the CAR is a distinct risk.”

“The international response does not yet match the gravity of the situation,” Ban said, adding, “We must do more to prevent more atrocities, protect civilians, restore law and order, provide humanitarian assistance and hold the country together.”

Ban also called for international support from African Union (AU) forces and MISCA (the African-led International Support Mission to the CAR).

“The international response must be robust — with a credible deployment of force,” he said, adding, “I … continue to urge the international community to support the AU and MISCA at this time.”

France, which already has 1,600 soldiers in the country, invaded the former colony on December 5, 2013 after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution giving the AU and France the go-ahead to send troops to the country.

On Tuesday, French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian called on the deployed forces to stop attacks by militias in CAR “by force if needed.”

Paris claims the aim of the mission is to create stability in the country in order to allow humanitarian aid to reach violence-hit areas but many believe that the French troops, known as Sangaris, target Muslims and turn a blind eye on Christian militia.