afrol News, 3 December - The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has warned against the worsening political, security and economical challenges despite the decision by Central African Republic to hold an inclusive dialogue.

CAR government has decided to convene an all inclusive dialogue with rebel groups from 5 to 20 December to resolve differences.

Mr Ban said CAR's crisis is multifaceted, with the country struggling with weak economy, complex social problems including impunity.

The "culture of impunity" that exists for the rebel militia known as the Popular Army for the Restoration of Democracy (APRD) and government forces is "an area of immediate and continuing concern," he said in his latest report to Security Council.

He said the dialogue is a crucial first step towards national reconciliation and the stabilisation of the country, stating that it is also seen as a process to promote political inclusiveness ahead of the scheduled 2010 presidential and legislative elections.

Mr Ban appealed to all groups to work together in addressing differences, saying it is the only viable and sustainable option to ensure peace and stability in CAR.

Secretary-General's Special Representative, François Lonsény Fall also told the Security Council that the government announced in October that it had released two prisoners from rebel groups in accordance with a peace deal reached earlier this year between the government and rebel groups.

"The release of prisoners was a significant gesture demonstrating the commitment of the Central African government to the implementation of the Libreville agreements," he said.

He said the release of detained rebels was a move paving a way for talks, urging all concerned parties to focus on the long awaited peace talks.

Meanwhile, Mr Ban has announced that he had allocated US $10 million from the UN Peacebuilding Fund to address the country's immediate needs in security sector reform, good governance and the rule of law, as well as in the revitalisation of communities affected by the conflict.

He also voiced concern over human rights abuses, noting that the phenomenon of mob justice has become more prevalent, including the execution of those accused of witchcraft, as well as summary and extrajudicial executions being committed in conflict areas.

The UN report also noted that under the current judicial systems, prison inmates are also subjected to inhuman, cruel and degrading treatment by police investigators assigned to detention centres as prison wardens.

"I urge the Central African authorities to seize this opportunity to strengthen the rule of law and promote good governance by ensuring the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and addressing the culture of impunity, with a view to its eradication," the Secretary-General wrote.

The Security Council authorised the establishment last year of the UN Mission in the CAR and Chad (MINURCAT) to try to stabilise the security situation and ease the humanitarian suffering in both countries, which are among the poorest in the world.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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