They went back to their homes they could be hurt in the crossfire, in the violence. In all my meetings, security was the number one topic of concern from cabinet ministers, to u. N. Leaders, to refugees, they all spoke of the need to restore a sense of law and order in the country. This is the number one message or one to bring to you today. Is that they were concerned about the violence. When i asked for fiji is why they had fled they all mentioned fear of attack and concern for their families whenn i asked refugees why they had fled. I cannot reiterate strongly enough the importance of u. S. Government support to the African Union stabilization in c. A. R. Of security is essential to creating conditions that will one day permit these one million uprooted people to return home. Meanwhile, the u. S. Government is committed to working with the International Community to provide assistance inside c. A. R. And in neighboring countries and structure are aid programs to enhance efforts to p
That pervades the entire country today. You and agencies and human rights organizations have estimated that over 600,000 have been displaced since the beginning of this rebellion in late 2012. Since december 2013 we agree that at least two dozen people been killed and another 100,000 have fled the country to us since december. We are particularly concerned that the imminent threat against muslim civilians has forced many to abandon their homes and communities and is seeking help from you in humanitarian agency, the African Union, and the french peacekeeping forces to relocate within the Central African republic or to neighboring countries. Just last weekend at the urging request of muslim civilians at the pk12 neighborhood peacekeeping force is transported over 1,002 and the people to towns in northern parts of the country as soon as those folks the parted the remaining local population attacked and destroyed the mosque and looted the homes of those who had not. This forced relocation
Hatred where little to none had previously existed. What we begin to see happening last november in response was a reactionary backlash by selfdefense gangs. Since then retaliatory outreaches contributed by antibalaka has escalated and muslim civilians what nothing to do with balaka became targets. As in the case, whole neighborhoods in the capital city and whole villages have been cleansed of the Muslim Populations. As well hear from our witnesses there are numerous causes could shoot to grievances including a fight to control conflict minerals. In mining area and thus there are economic motives at work there as well. Insofar as conflict can be described as religion on one level its also true religious fervor and dedication that provides the greatest hope of peace and reconciliation in the Central African republic. Some of you will recall how a few months ago three great religious leaders came to washington as well us to new york, the United Nations, meeting with people both sides of
Genocide. For any country that has been characterized by brutal misrule, we are seeing for the first time sectarian divisions such as never existed before. Economic tensions have always existed but it has given way to a butchery based on religious and ethnic affiliation. This is happening in a time when we mark the 20th anniversary of the genocide in rwanda. When that country was being turned into a killing field, the world stood idly by. Intelligence information could have prevented or mitigated the rwandan genocide. I held a series of meetings on da and we on rwan heard from people who said they had the information on hand. Upwards of one Million People were slaughtered and with that information, that could have been prevented or at least largely mitigated. When the blood stopped flowing, the world looked at the corpses piled high and was shocked. Never again, was the phrase on everyones lips. It is happening again. The question before us today is whether the phrase never again is on
I would say sorry for your loss. And your sacrifice. We should have done more. Whether that was preparation prior to or execution at the time. Even if we simply just burned gas in airplanes moving people. We have to have the confidence of the American People that provide us with their sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, mom and dads. And continue to fill uniform and those civilian positions that are key and brave as well in harms way. We have to ensure we rebuild the trust, this is level talking to you, we have to rebuild their trust. It is a big part of why i want to be here. We need to say to them we should have done more. And we owe it to the memory of those four people who are fallen and hurt and wounded. Could we have done more . I am sure we could have done more. Secretary Hilary Clinton whispered into the air that it was the video that had done this. Is that true . When did you think it was over . When were americans out of harms way . When were they safe . They are still