The long-delayed presidential and parliamentary elections were held peacefully in the Central African Republic (CAR) on Wednesday. Hundred of thousands of voters cast their ballots with a hope that the new president will end the three year long sectarian conflict in the country.
Two former prime ministers, Martin Ziguele and Anicet-Georges Dologuele, are among the 30 presidential candidates, according to EuroNews.
Earlier, U.N. Chief Ban Ki-moon appealed for a massive turn-out in the first round of elections. "The upcoming elections are a historical moment for your country. Never before have so many central Africans registered to vote. I call on every one of you to use your right to vote without letting others preventing you from expressing yourselves peacefully. The Organisation of the United Nations will stand by you during this critical time," he said in a radio message, according to U.N. News Centre.
The impoverished African country has been witnessing bloody sectarian war between the mainly Muslim Séléka and mainly Christian anti-Balaka groups since early 2013. Thousands of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands more have been displaced due to violence.
The African Union is likely to lift its suspension of CAR once a new leader elected. Central African Union was suspended from the A.U. in 2013.
"We push for credible elections. We understand that this election in the Central African Republic is happening after a series of violence in the country; but, we hope that whomever is elected as the next president of the Central African Republic will ensure further stability in that richly endowed country that has been pillaged and has suffered over a period of time," said Aisha Laraba Abdullahi, who is in charge of A.U.'s political affairs, according to VOA News.
