UN Security Council hails progress in peace process in Central African Republic

President Faustin Archange Touadera of the Central African Republic addresses the 71st United Nations General Assembly in the Manhattan borough of New York, US, September 23, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

UNITED NATIONS - The UN Security Council on Wednesday welcomed the recent progress in the peace process in the Central African Republic (CAR), stressing that "the only viable way forward" toward lasting peace is a political commitment to address root causes of the conflict.

In a presidential statement, the 15-nation UN body hailed the signing in the landlocked central African country of several deals on peace, security and reconciliation, calling for their swift implementation.

"The Security Council acknowledges the achievement of significant post-transition milestones, namely the peaceful and transparent election of President Faustin-Archange Touadera, the swift formation of a new government and the establishment of the National Assembly," the statement said.

While renewing its support to the peace process expected to stabilize the country and enable a long-term development, the Security Council also voiced its "deep concern about the continued fragility" in the country, and strongly condemned "the recent upsurge of violence and instability" there.

A civil war in the Central African Republic broke out in December 2012 between the Seleka rebel coalition and government forces. Rebels took power in March 2013 before a national transitional council was established and elected a provisional president.

Elections in February 2016 took Touadera to the presidency.