BANGUI, Central African Republic, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- A U.N. mission in the Central African Republic reminded the transitional government it was responsible for ensuring the safety of its people.
"[The U.N. Integrated Peacebuilding Office in CAR] recalls that the security of persons and belongings are first and foremost the responsibility of the transitional government," it said in a statement Monday.
The peace mission, known by its French initials BINUCA, said it was concerned by the increase in violence in the troubled African nation. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said in early November the situation in CAR was "extremely worrying."
BINUCA called on the government to "speed up the restoration of the capacities of the police" to ensure national stability.
A United Nations resolution backed in October by former colonial power France outlined a new peacekeeping force in CAR and called on the interim government to stick to plans for elections in early 2015.
The United Nations estimated 4.5 million people are in need of some form of humanitarian assistance as a result of the simmering conflict.
Human Rights Watch was among the concerned parties testifying Tuesday before U.S. lawmakers about the crisis in CAR.
