Bangui, Central African Republic – The country seems well prepared for a historic presidential election after two years of sectarian violence between Muslim and Christian communities.
U.N. peacekeepers in thousands have fanned out across the country with voting materials to polling stations. Security has been stepped up too as many fear tensions around the Sunday’s vote could re-ignite rivalries between the two religious groups.
In the capital Bangui more than 2,000 U.N. peacekeepers and police are deployed and 8,000 more are put in patrolling.
Lt. Gen. Balla Keita, force commander of the U.N. mission (MINUSCA) said they are comfortable with the security level deployed and they hope election will run smooth.
The peacemakers delivered election materials to polling stations on Saturday.
Many experts credit the recent peace in Central African Republic to the visit of Pope Francis last year in November. He met Christian leaders and also visited the mosque in the country where many has taken refuge since tensions exploded in late 2013.
About the February 14 election the district leader in Boeing neighborhood Andre Gamtan said the country had been waiting for the moment and it is a good chance to get out of the abyss.
International community had been putting immense pressure on Central African Republic to conduct the elections to the earliest.
Gamtan added all the countrymen are tired and want peace.
Since January 2014, after the late 2012 conflict, an interim government is in power.
Karim Meckassoua, a Muslim candidate, said it does not matter who wins the election but it is important the candidate work together with the other candidates.
