Pope Francis had profound impact on people of CAR

A staff member at Bangui’s Palace of Renaissance, in the Central African Republic (CAR),  Tychique Nzouketia Reggy Reo-Olar has told Vatican Radio’s Africa Service that notwithstanding outbursts of violence in CAR, Pope Francis’ visit has had a profound effect on the people of his country. No one in CAR expected Pope Francis to wave a magic wand of peace in the country. Nevertheless, many people in CAR are still speaking about the appeals and words of peace Pope Francis pronounced while in CAR. He left a lasting impression, Reo-Olar, who works in the Transitional President’s office, said.

“Every politician, every Christian, every Muslim, animist and mere citizens -all continue to quote Pope Francis' statements (on peace and co-existence) in their speech,” Reo-Olar said.

On Sunday, residents of CAR defied rebels as they went out to vote in Sunday’s constitutional referendum that should go a long way in stabilising the Central African Republic.

CAR is not lacking of spoilers bent on disrupting the process towards stability. Reuters reported Tuesday that a rebel leader in CAR, Noureddine Adam, declared an autonomous state in the northeast of the country. CAR’s transitional Government immediately condemned the declaration. Adam, one of the main leaders of the Seleka rebel coalition, used intimidation in areas under his control to block voting in the crucial constitutional referendum Sunday, Reuters reported.

United Nations (UN) News has said that UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous told the Security Council that spoilers in CAR needed to be contained.

“We must not allow attempts by a few, to disrupt the hopes and aspirations of many for a successful electoral process that will return their country to constitutional order,” emphasised Ladsous.

The first round of presidential and legislative elections is scheduled for 27 December, this year. Ladsous has pledged MINUSCA (UN Blue helmet peacekeepers) ’s continued commitment to a “robust posture” to protect civilians. He has called for strong action to ensure that the perpetrators of serious human rights abuses are brought to justice.

MINUSCA in CAR currently maintains nearly 11,000 uniformed personnel in the country. These “Blue Helmet” peacekeepers, among others, performed exceptionally well in ensuring peace during Pope Francis’s November 2015 visit to CAR.

(Paul Samasumo, RV)

Email: engafrica@vatiradio.va