Immediate Release: 15 September 2014 – Enough Project
Contact: Greg Hittelman, +1 310 717-0606, [email protected]
“The key is to start these efforts not tomorrow, not in a month, not in a year, but right now."
15 September 2014 — 15 September 2014 — With the United States scheduled to reopen its embassy today in the Central African Republic (CAR) after a nearly two-year diplomatic absence, and as the UN launches a nearly 12,000-strong peacekeeping operation, a new report by the Enough Project “Seize the Peace” urges rapid action by the international community on four key areas to support peace in the war-torn country. Report authors Kasper Agger, Jacinth Planer, and Holly Dranginis, are available for media interviews, comment and expert analysis.
Kasper Agger, Enough Project field researcher and report co-author, said: “Resuming operations at the American embassy was long overdue. With staff on the ground in the Central African Republic, the US must now focus on advisory assistance to the transitional government, collaboration with civil society, and support for a justice sector to end rampant impunity for atrocities and human rights violations.”
Jacinth Planer, Enough Project editor and report co-author, said: "In this report, we highlight the importance of international support and action on CAR in four key areas: elections planning, accountability for perpetrators of atrocities, local reconciliation, and the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of armed combatants. The key is to start these efforts not tomorrow, not in a month, not in a year, but right now."
Holly Dranginis, Enough Project policy expert and report co-author, said: "CAR's new UN peacekeepers signal a promising new way of building peace amidst humanitarian crisis. With the mission's innovative mandate that reaches beyond robust civilian protection to also consider systemic issues like widespread impunity, local reconciliation, and economic livelihoods, it could change the face of peacekeeping altogether. No longer should short term solutions be separated from long term strategies – for CAR, the approach must include urgent attention to both simultaneously."
Link to the full report “Seize the Peace: Four Issues to Target Now in the CAR Peace Process”: http://eno.ug/1pX7QUd
For media inquiries and to arrange an interview with a report author, please contact:
Greg Hittelman, Director of Communications, +1 310 717-0606, [email protected]
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The Enough Project is a project of the Center for American Progress to end genocide and crimes against humanity. Founded in 2007, Enough focuses on the crises in Sudan, South Sudan, eastern Congo, and areas affected by the Lord’s Resistance Army. Enough conducts intensive field research, develops practical policies to address these crises, and shares sensible tools to empower citizens and groups working for change. To learn more: www.enoughproject.org.