Central African Republic: ICRC President concludes his visit
Peter Maurer (center), president of the International Committee of the Cross during a press conference, in the Central African Republic, February 12, 2021. © Charlotte Cosset / RFI
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3 min
The visit of the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Peter Maurer to the Central African Republic has just ended.
Arrived on the evening of Monday February 8, he held numerous meetings with the authorities and partners and went to the field, to the Kaga-Bandoro hospital.
On Friday February 12, he held a press conference with the president of the Central African Red Cross.
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With our correspondent in Bangui,
Charlotte Cosset
Among the objectives of the President of the ICRC is that of continuing to advocate for respect for international humanitarian law.
On the ground, there are the Central African armed forces, the United Nations mission but also unconventional armed forces as well as multiple armed groups.
“
There are no conflicts where there is no worry because the rules are often little respected in combat contexts and therefore it is a long-term job, not just to find the way to to train the actors but also to change the behavior
", underlines Peter Maurer.
In the field, not so easy to work.
The president of the Central African Red Cross explains that the intensity of the conflict has changed.
Nothing to do with 2013 when the fighting was sporadic and urban.
"
The crisis this time around did not go as before
," continues Peter Maurer.
We had easy access to the theater of operations to recover the wounded, recover the lifeless bodies and also to distribute relief material to our brigades.
The way to operate is really different.
It's very intense.
At the time, it was less seasoned bands but this time it's really difficult
”.
Limited human toll
Human tolls remain very limited.
The ICRC says it took care of around 30 bodies following
the attempted capture of Bangui on 13 January.
This Saturday, February 13, the authorities announced the death of a dozen rebels of the CPC [Coalition of Patriots for Change], during the fighting, near Bambari, this week.
If the Central African armed forces have reached the border town of Beloko this week, the movement of convoys is still very limited on the supply corridor which has been blocked for about two months.
The Red Cross hopes to see the first of its humanitarian aid convoys circulate earlier this week.
Other themes were discussed during this press conference, in particular the establishment of a partnership between the ICRC and the World Bank for more lasting actions in the field.
The ICRC is also planning to build a new center for the care of people with disabilities.
Read also: Central African Republic: the ICRC victim of attacks calls for respect for the work of humanitarian workers
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Central African Republic
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