Is the war torn country of the Central African Republic about to see a ceasefire between warring factions?
The parliamentary election included run-off votes in 49 electoral districts and first round voting in 69 districts where violence stopped the vote from taking place in December.
Trial of ex-sports minister Ngaissona and militia chief Yekatom is taking place against a backdrop of unrest in Central African Republic where rebels are waging an offensive against President Faustin Archange Touadera’s government.
A UN spokesman said the key cause of the deteriorating situation is the very high level of insecurity along the road link to Cameroon where over 1,600 trucks, with 500 carrying humanitarian supplies, remain blocked at the border since mid-December.
Head of the UN peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic says 3,000 more peacekeepers needed to raise the ceiling to 14,650 in order to combat new threats.
The country’s Constitutional Court has rejected a lawsuit filed by 13 of the 16 other candidates who argued the results were an outcome of “massive fraud."
UN force "remains on alert" to prevent any rebel return or other actions against civilians, after its troops have retaken control of a city in the Central African Republic captured two weeks ago by armed groups.
UNHCR says violence following last month’s contested presidential election caused some 50,000 to flee across Ubangi river into the DRC.
The country’s electoral commission has declared Touadera the winner of the December 27 election, saying he secured enough votes in the first round to make a runoff unnecessary.
Militias hostile to President Faustin-Archange Touadera, who is seeking a second term, have stepped up attacks since the constitutional court rejected several candidacies.
The assaults come before a presidential vote on Sunday that will determine whether incumbent President Touadera will stay in power.
President Touadera, the UN and the EU all fiercely insist the Sunday vote will take place despite threats of a coup.
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