ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) has expressed grave concerns over the escalation of post-election violence in Central African Republic (CAR), which has displaced large numbers of people, thereby exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in the country.

In its latest meeting that has deliberated on the situation in the country, the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of AU has also expressed deep concern about the continued insecurity which hinders the provision of humanitarian assistance and impedes access to the internally displaced populations, according to an AU statement issued Saturday.

The Council has strongly condemned the attempted coup by the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) on Jan. 13, 2021, in complete violation of commitments made by some armed groups who were signatories to the APPR-CAR (peace and reconciliation agreement).

The Council has urged all armed groups and political actors within this Coalition, specifically former president Francois Bozize, to refrain from any subversive action aimed at overthrowing the government, or even sowing instability and thus hindering the successful organization of the second round of the legislative election in the country.

The Council has warned that appropriate punitive measures, including criminal prosecution and targeted sanctions, would be applied to peace spoilers and anyone found to be violating the APPR-CAR, as well as national and international humanitarian and human rights law.

It has also requested the AU Commission to present a proposal regarding the criteria for applying the said punitive measures and the targets of those measures, for consideration by the PSC.

The Council has called on all the political actors and armed groups in the CAR to commit unconditionally to and respect the ceasefire, and to desist from propagating hate speech.

It has urged them to respond favorably to the call made by President Faustin-Archange Touadera on Feb. 6, 2021 for a national dialogue, which should include the opposition parties and all national stakeholders in order to create conducive conditions for the successful conduct of the legislative elections in March 2021 in order to reaffirm the national democratic transition and ending the vicious cycle of conflict in CAR.

It has called on all political and social actors as well as all armed groups to work steadfastly to create an enabling environment for constructive dialogue among all stakeholders, to achieve lasting peace, stability and socio-economic development in the CAR.

The Council has urged the armed groups that have violated their commitment to the APPR-CAR to honor the initial undertaking and, collectively with other signatories, to pursue viable and peaceful means for durable solutions to the current crisis.

Strongly condemning the continuous illicit exploitation, trading and trafficking of the CAR's natural resources, the Council has called for increased and better coordination between the neighboring states to tackle this practice which is detrimental to the CAR's economic recovery and post-conflict reconstruction prospects. Enditem

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