THE Central African Republic is on the brink of collapse and the crisis is threatening to spread beyond its borders, senior United Nations officials have warned as they urged the Security Council to help fund and support an African Union peacekeeping force.
The landlocked former French colony - one of the poorest places on earth - has been plunged into chaos since Seleka rebels seized power from President Francois Bozize four months ago, triggering a humanitarian crisis in the heart of Africa.
The African Union this month incorporated an existing 1100-strong regional peacekeeping mission, known as MICOPAX, into a new, larger AU peacekeeping force. The number of troops will be more than tripled to 3600 and the force has an AU mandate to protect civilians, help stabilise the country and restore government.
UN envoy Babacar Gaye said: "The AU has requested financial, logistical and technical support. We have recommended to the council to provide this support."
The AU and UN plan to send experts to the Central African Republic shortly to assess exactly what was needed and UN diplomats said that on the basis of those reports the Security Council would respond with a resolution.
Mr Gaye warned the Security Council the AU force would not be enough to combat the crisis in the Central African Republic.
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