The war-weary people of the Central African Republic (CAR) have “no alternative” but to rely on the UN and the international community to help forge a lasting peace.

That’s the firm belief of the head of the UN Mission in the CAR (MINUSCA), Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, who said that without their support on the ground “another massacre” or even genocide could have taken place.

Violent clashes between Muslim and Christian armed groups in 2013 plunged the CAR into civil conflict in 2013, and despite successful elections last year, there has been a rise in attacks against civilians and UN peacekeepers in recent months.

Mr Onanga-Anyanga briefed the UN Security Council on Monday and said MINUSCA’s resolve to protect and serve the people of CAR was stronger than ever.

He told Cristina Silveiro that the upsurge in violence by armed groups was a sign of chronic political instability.

Duration: 4’06”