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UN Calls for Action in Forgotten Crisis of Central African Republic

The World Food Program says it is currently helping over 200,000 people of the Central African Republic caught in a humanitarian crisis caused by political instability, lawlessness and marauding rebels from neighboring countries, according to Euronews.

The landlocked former French colony has been plunged into chaos since the Seleka rebels seized power four months ago. Outside the capital Bangui, much of the country is ruled by warlords.

Euronews reports that U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on the United Nations Security Council to act.

A report to be discussed by the Security Council next week has highlighted a number of abuses and incidents attributed to rogue elements among the rebels.

Dozens Killed in Central African Republic

According to the Associated Press:

“An international aid organization says dozens of people have been slaughtered in a remote village in Central African Republic and their bodies tossed in a nearby river.

“In a statement released Friday, Caritas said the violence had taken place over the last two weeks in a village called Ouhman-Bac in the country’s northwest. Father Aurelio Gazzera said between 30 and 50 bodies had been dumped into the river, and other terrified residents fled the remote area.

“The massacre is being blamed on rebels from Seleka, an alliance that brought fighters together to overthrow the government earlier this year.”

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