ASSISTANT SECRETARY LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD: Thank you Chairman Coons, Ranking Member Flake,
and other members for the opportunity to testify before you today on this urgent matter.
I very much appreciate your interest and your raising the profile of this issue.
I've submitted a full written testimony to the committee and I would ask that it be entered
into the record and I will summarize briefly that testimony here today.
We are deeply concerned by the horrific violence across Central African Republic, particularly
the increasingly sectarian nature of the attacks on civilians, as you described.
We are working closely with the members of the international community to end the violence
and restore security to C.A.R.
We have publicly condemned Seleka's seizure of power and its campaign of rape, pillage,
and killings.
We have also warned that individuals responsible for fueling and engaging in violence and human
rights violations will be held accountable.
Ambassador Power delivered this message directly to Transitional President Djotodia in a telephone
conversation on December 7.
On December 5th, the United States co-sponsored UN Security Council Resolution 2127 which
establishes an arms embargo, a sanctions committee, and a panel of experts, a Commission of Inquiry,
and an increase in the human rights monitoring capacity of the UN Political Office in C.A.R.
In September, we co-sponsored the UN Human Rights Council resolution creating an Independent
Expert position for C.A.R.
To immediately stem the violence, we strongly supported the UN Security Council's authorization
of a one-year Chapter VII mandate for the African Union-led International Stabilization
Force in the Central African Republic - MISCA -and for an expanded French troop presence
in support of MISCA.
We believe MISCA, working closely with French forces, provides the most immediate mechanism
for ending the violence.
In addition, we believe MISCA's robust stabilization mandate is what is needed now to confront
and disarm the armed groups.
To give these forces their best chance of success on the ground, we are providing them
equipment, strategic airlift and pre-deployment training.
On November 20, Secretary Kerry announced that the State Department, pending Congressional
notification, would provide $40 million in assistance to MISCA troop contributors from
existing resources.
On December 10, the President delegated authority to Secretary Kerry to direct the drawdown
of up to $60 million in defense articles and services from existing Department of Defense
resources in order to provide immediate military assistance for France, the AU, and countries
contributing forces to MISCA.
We have already begun utilizing this fund to airlift 850 Burundians- Burundi troops
into C.A.R. in an operation that is scheduled to be completed this week.
Because of the dangerous sectarian tensions in C.A.R., we have actively reached out to
local radio stations and other media to encourage them to transmit messages from Christians,
as well as from Muslim religious leaders, urging peace and reconciliation.
President Obama recorded a statement to the people of C.A.R.
on December 9 the message has been translated into French and Sango and broadcast repeatedly
on multiple stations throughout C.A.R.
And we've heard from people in C.A.R. that they've appreciated hearing those messages
from the President.
We are working hard to respond to the most urgent humanitarian needs.
In FY 2013, the U.S. provided more than $24 million in humanitarian assistance, with $6.2
million in additional assistance announced in September, to assist new C.A.R.
refugees in neighboring countries.
We continue to insist that the C.A.R.
transitional government abide by the N'Djamena Declaration and the interim constitution,
which calls for elections to take place no later than February 2015, and specify that
members of the transitional government are ineligible to run.We are deeply concerned
that the Transition President Djotodia has taken steps to consolidate his power by inserting
up to 5,000 Seleka fighters into the security forces by delaying the appointment of independent
experts to the National Electoral Authority.
Given the grave situation in the Central African Republic, and the need to see the situation
first-hand, I hope to travel there at some point soon.
Currently, our special advisor is in C.A.R.
Senator Coons, Ranking Member Flake, Members of the Committee, let me assure you that we
remain deeply engaged at the highest level with the situation in C.A.R.
We are working closely with our international partners to address the crisis and we look
forward to keeping you and other members of the Committee informed of our activities.
And we look forward to additional support.
I am glad to answer any questions you might have and I look forward, again, to briefing
you on the situation as we continue to get information.