By Shu’aibu Adamu
ADDIS ABABA – The African Union (AU) has threatened to sanction those it described as “spoilers“ who attacked the Chadian troops in the Central African Republic (CAR) last March.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the AU and Chair of the Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) for the month of April, Lolo Bulus, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Addis Ababa.
Bulus said the 15-member Council had resolved to propose sanctions to restore sanity in the crises-torn country, after the incident involving Chadian troops in Bangui last month.
“We have reiterated our previous warning to the spoilers of the peace efforts in CAR to desist or face the music for their actions.
“No matter how long it will take, we will make sure that there is personal accountability for all actions.
“Whoever is contributing negatively or not contributing positively to the consolidation of peace will be a target of these targeted sanctions and measures,’’ the PSC Chairman said.
The Chadian troops had been accused of killing and wounding civilians in retaliation over an attack on an AU troops’ convoy in the capital on March 29.
“We are considering an information note by the Chairperson of the AU Commission on the March 29 incident involving the Chadian contingent to the International Support Mission to the CAR (MISCA).
“The information contains allegations and counter-allegations on what actually happened or did not happen.
“But we have established that the Chadian troops acted in self-defence, while the number of casualties as reported in some media was much higher than actual,’’ Bulus said.
It will be recalled that Nigeria assumed the rotational Chairmanship of both the AU Peace and Security Council and the UN Security Council for the month of April.
The crises in CAR and South Sudan are expected to feature prominently in both Councils being chaired by Lolo Bulus and Prof. Joy Ogwu respectively.
The Nigeria-led AU Peace and Security Council will resume session on April 11, to deliberate on the crises in South Sudan. (NAN)
