More effort needed to end bloodshed

BANGUI (AP):

United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon vowed yesterday that the world would not forget the Central African Republic (CAR), as he visited the country wracked by sectarian violence that has left thousands dead and forced most of the nation's Muslims to flee.

Ban's visit - his first since the bloodshed erupted in December - came just before he goes on to Rwanda to mark the 20th anniversary of the genocide there.

Rwanda tragedy

The UN chief has been among the most vocal of world leaders in calling on countries to prevent a similar tragedy in the Central African Republic.

"The international community failed the people of Rwanda 20 years ago. And we are at risk of not doing enough for the people of the CAR today," Ban told members of a transitional council tasked with preparing the country for elections by February 2015.

"There is a hole in the heart of Africa," said Ban. "Every day, I wake up thinking about your trials and troubles. Everywhere, I have called on leaders to step up their efforts," he said. "Some say this is a forgotten crisis. I am here to help make sure the world does not forget."