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Poverty, Violence, Exploitation: Why is a Uno top diplomat now traveling to the Central African Republic?

2019-08-29T19:01:21.293Z


In the Central African Republic, blue helmets guard a fragile peace. Uno top diplomat Ursula Müller is now traveling - and, despite continued violence and Russian activities in the resource-rich country, she has hope.



Just over a year ago, three Russian investigative reporters were mysteriously murdered in the Central African Republic (ZAR). They wanted to prove alleged connections of Russian mercenaries in the country to the Kremlin.

The broad-shouldered Russians provide security for President Faustin Archange Touadéra, among others. Recently, a CNN report has provided new evidence of links between resource exploitation and Russian mercenaries training soldiers on government-mandated orders devastated by a year-long civil war.

Six years ago, armed militias had brought the country into conflict. Officially, there is now a truce between the more than a dozen belligerent groups and the government of President Touadéra, but it is fragile.

AFP

Militia officers in the southeastern part of the Central African Republic near the city of Gambo

Germany's highest-ranking diplomat in the service of the UN, Ursula Müller, travels to this crisis area to find out about the need for assistance. It wants to get an idea where support is most needed - and remind everyone involved in their human and international obligations.

SPIEGEL: Ms. Müller, you are traveling to the Central African Republic, one of the countries most dangerous to humanitarian aid. What is the situation six months after the peace?

Müller: The country is strongly challenged by poverty and violence. Seven out of ten people are poor. Three-quarters of health care is provided by international organizations. Despite the peace deal, the humanitarian situation has worsened further.

SPIEGEL: How can that be, when peace should reign?

Müller: Many of the armed groups have been included in the government, but there is still a lot of violence, and especially sexual violence against women. Reconciling the population is one of the biggest challenges besides humanitarian needs.

SPIEGEL: What's missing in the Central African Republic?

Müller: In addition to health care, especially education. 70 percent of the young people do not go to school, many join the armed groups. Development cooperation must begin in order to break out of the permanent cycles of humanitarian emergency aid.

OCHA / Otto Bakano

Ursula Müller, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator: "I see hope, resilience and initiative"

SPIEGEL: Almost nobody in the school, more than a dozen armed groups, the peace deal shaky. Sounds like you're traveling to a hopeless place.

Müller: No. I have been invited by the leaders of the state to inquire with the president and the prime minister about their plans and how the UN can support the peace process. And whenever I travel to such crisis regions, I see people's hopes, resilience, and personal initiative. I am committed to those who still have a way to go. I do not see that as hopeless.

SPIEGEL: There are many actors in the ZAR, the African Union (AU) has mediated the peace deal, but Russia also plays an important role. How well is this coordinated?

Müller: Above all, we appreciate the commitment of the AU, but we also welcome all other political attempts. We strongly insist on human rights. If a government ensures security in its country, it must always be based on international law and respect for human rights.

SPIEGEL: Do you also appreciate the engagement of Russia in the Central African Republic?

Müller: I have already been doing the activities of Russia a year ago. I would not put it that way, that I appreciate it. There are influences from different countries - Russia, China - and it's mostly about resources. The activities of armed groups have humanitarian consequences, such as forced evictions, as violence increases. It is my job to point out that each country has to respect international obligations, that is respect for human rights and international humanitarian law.

SPIEGEL: Russian investigative reporters were murdered a year ago in the Central African Republic under unclear circumstances. How big will your security efforts be?

Müller: There is no one, although it is one of the most dangerous countries for helpers. Several have already died this year and many others have been injured. Although I want to meet the commander of the Minusca Blue Helm mission, I will travel without a military escort. I'm wearing my blue uno polo shirt and a blue vest. We will travel to places in the extreme southeast, staying overnight on the cot. Only then will we have dinner with the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and the Minister for Humanitarian Aid. This is much more believable than flying in from New York.

SPIEGEL: How do conflicts fall into oblivion, as in the Central African Republic?

Müller: We do not forget one. 146 million people need humanitarian aid worldwide. Sufficient money, however, flows only for the crises in the center of political and media attention. In the case of natural disasters, for example, help usually comes in larger quantities. Malawi and Zimbabwe, for example, were helped quickly after hurricanes Idai and Kenneth in the spring.

SPIEGEL: Why are many of the forgotten crises in Africa?

Müller: Africa is a continent with many resources, many interests of other countries and climate change hinders development. Our humanitarian aid does not solve a humanitarian problem, as only political solutions and development cooperation help.

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2019-08-29

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