ShareNEW YORK: Delegates of the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to the United Nations met in New York on Monday to discuss the atrocities against the Muslim community of the Central African Republic (CAR). The meeting, chaired by Kuwait Representative to the UN and head of the 57-member OIC Group Mansour Al-Otaibi, was meant to shed light on ordeal of Muslim community in CAR at the hands of the extremist Antibalaka group.
Speaking to KUNA after the meeting, Ambassador Al-Otaibi said: “We aimed to draw the attention of the international community and the UN to the need to end the serious violations, oppression and discrimination against CAR Muslims.” “We have agreed on number of steps to protect the Muslim community in CAR, foremost among which is to arrange for meetings with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and President of the UN Security Council (Roman Oyarzun Marchesi, of Spain). “We plan to urge them to convene special debates on the issue and lobby for a UNSC resolution to protect this oppressed minority,” Ambassador Al-Otaibi revealed.
The conferees called for reinforcing the role of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) in protecting the civilians in Bangui and other areas. They also called on the UN to work for holding the general elections in CAR by the end of this year with the participation of all segments of the society including the Muslim minority, he added. Regarding the recent Bangui forum, he called on the country’s transitional authorities to speedily implement the forum’s outcomes and reach consensus on national reconciliation.
Ambassador Al-Otaibi appreciated the efforts of CAR’s neighbors such as Chad, Cameron and Congo to provide humanitarian assistance for the refugees from CAR and alleviate their suffering. On his part, Dr Cheikh Tidiane Gadio, the OIC Special Envoy for CAR, said at a joint press conference with Al-Otaibi, all efforts should focus on how to ensure successful completion of the transitional process. He condemned all forms of violence against the Muslim community in the country and called on the international community to work for smooth, sound and inclusive elections away from any racial or religious discrimination.
Israeli attacks
In another development, the Arab League permanent envoys council yesterday commenced its extraordinary session on the current Israeli attacks in Jerusalem and desecration of Al-Aqsa Mosque. The meeting was held under the auspices of the UAE, with presence of the League’s Secretary General Nabil Al-Araby. The meeting was called for by Palestine and was approved by member-states. The meeting is aimed at discussing and taking measures against the vicious Israeli attacks against Palestinians and also against Al-Aqsa Mosque, said Deputy Secretary General of the League Ambassador Ahmad bin Hilli. Kuwait’s delegation is headed by senior official of Kuwait permanent mission to the Arab League Mohammad Al-Alati. —Agencies
