UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council is considering the renewal of the mandate of a UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic given the volatile security situation in the country, council President Sebastiano Cardi said Monday.
There is "a fairly good amount of consensus" among council members in favor of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' proposal for a renewal, Cardi, the Italian ambassador to the United Nations, told reporters.
"It is a very important decision for the council. The situation is the country is still very fragile, both from the political, military and humanitarian points of view."
The council will discuss details of a resolution for a renewal in the next few days, he said. But he refused to say whether the council will endorse Guterres' proposal of adding 900 troops to the peacekeeping mission. Council members also want to make sure that the peacekeepers will be able to perform their duties effectively, he said, adding that there was discussion of sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers in the country.
The mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in the CAR, or Minusca, expires on Nov. 15.
Briefing the Security Council, the head of Minusca, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, said the secretary-general's request to increase Minusca force levels by 900 troops is part of a comprehensive strategy to address the deteriorating situation and to create space to advance the political process in the CAR.
The security situation in the country remains volatile and the humanitarian situation disastrous, he said. In that context of incredible brutality, where there is often no peace to keep, UN peacekeepers are risking their lives on a daily basis, he argued.
Onanga-Anyanga emphasized the need for an inclusive political process and stronger state institutions at local level.
The CAR has been in civil war since 2012, which is being fought along religious and ethnic lines.
