LONDON, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- The chairman of a British committee on international development said Tuesday he was concerned the Central African Republic crisis could lead to genocide.
"Since the coup in March, key agencies working in the Central African Republic have been telling us that a major tragedy is unfolding in CAR," Malcolm Bruce, chairman of the British International Development Committee, said in a statement. "There are allegations that this could fuel genocide."
The rebel Seleka coalition toppled the CAR government in a coup. The crisis has taken on a religious tone, pitting Sunni rebels against their Christian rivals. Bruce said civil war in CAR appears likely.
UNICEF in November said the humanitarian situation in CAR was dire. Nearly all of the 4.6 million people in the country are affected by the crisis and as many as 6,000 children were involved in the fight directly, the agency said.
Western powers have expressed support for an African Union-led peacekeeping mission in CAR. Bruce said an initial response may come in the form of financial aid.
"At a time when we have pledged $810 million to help drive effective humanitarian relief in Syria, we need to question whether the $8.1 million pledged so far for CAR is enough," he said.
