Rwanda and Srebrenica have become bywords not only for unspeakable acts of genocide, but for international passivity in the face of such crimes. Now, the danger is that they will come to share that dubious privilege with the Central African Republic (CAR), where a bloody sectarian conflict is unfolding – unchecked and largely unreported – while the world dithers over desperately needed peacekeeping aid. The depth of the crisis has been reflected over the past few days in The Irish Times , in graphic and moving accounts by our correspondent Lara Marlowe.
Senior UN officials warn that the violence in the huge, sparsely populated country of 4.5 million people is in danger of spiralling into a genocide.Tens of thousands have been killed since the conflict began, while 650,000 people have been internally displaced and 300,000 have fled to neighbouring states. UN agencies estimate that the number of internally displaced in the capital, Bangui, alone has increased by more than 20,000 to 200,000 since March 12th. Hunger is rising sharply and aid agencies say they have received only a fifth of the more than $550 million (€400 million) they need this year.
Christian militias, largely criminal gangs known as anti-balaka, are responsible for most of the current killings and attacks on Muslim refugee camps. They are a response to the previous and ongoing rampages by equally brutal Muslim "Seleka" rebels, who had backed a coup that was deposed in January. The government writ has ceased to run and the state has ceased to function. What little order that exists is provided by 2,000 troops from France, the former colonial power, and 6,000 from the African Union.
UN commissioner for human rights Navi Pillay, on a visit to Bangui last week, was critical of the international community for its slow and inadequate response. Today, at the EU-Africa summit, EU states will commit themselves to sending a paltry 500 soldiers to assist, although there are serious problems finding countries willing to contribute.
UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon has appealed to governments for 10,000 additional troops and 2,000 police officers, and a debate on the issue began at the Security Council on Monday. But even if agreed, it will take an unconscionable six months to deploy – if, that is, member states can be found to contribute.
Yet a disaster continues to unfold in the CAR, one that it is possible to contain and indeed stop. EU member states must step up and do more, and urgently. Ireland could do so, too, by committing to contribute troops, although we are already heavily involved abroad, notably in Lebanon. And we should use our diplomatic weight to press the UN to move faster. Twenty years ago, Rwanda; we said, “Never again.” Then Srebrenica. Now CAR . . . Never again.