UN chief calls for ending violence in CAR

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Thursday warned of the risk of further upheaval among communities in the Central African Republic (CAR) and called for ending violence, which has displaced nearly one million people.

"The horrific cycle of violence and retaliation between communities must stop immediately," reported Xinhua citing Ban in a message to the extraordinary summit of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) held in N'Djamena, Chad.

"The events of last year have caused profound damage in the relationships between Muslim and Christian communities in the CAR. Distrust is high and violence has fuelled anger and a thirst for revenge," Ban said in the message,delivered by Babacar Gaye, special representative in the CAR.

Ban stressed that the humanitarian situation in CAR remains extremely troubling. According to recent UN estimates, nearly one million people have been displaced with more than half being in the capital, Bangui, alone.

CAR has been thrown into turmoil since Seleka rebels launched attacks a year ago and forced President Francois Bozize to flee in March, 2013. A transitional government has since been entrusted with restoring peace and paving the way for democratic elections. But armed clashes have erupted again.

Last month, Christians and Muslims launched reprisal attacks against each other in and around Bangui, worsening humanitarian situations.

Ban called on all parties to work closely to prevent further atrocities and bring sustainable peace to the CAR.