GENEVA, 24 December, 2020, (TON): The UN Human Rights Office has warned of "escalating violence" in the Central African Republic (CAR) ahead of general elections in the country.

With a week to go until elections in the war-torn country are scheduled to take place in the Central African Republic (CAR) on December 27, the UN is concerned about an escalation of armed attacks.

In a statement late on Wednesday, the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said ongoing armed violence presented serious risks to the safety of civilians and their right to vote.

"We are deeply alarmed by reports of escalating violence stoked by political grievances and hate speech, resulting in the forced displacement of civilians, including to neighboring countries," said the office.

"There have been numerous reports in recent days of attacks against security forces, political candidates and election officials. Reportedly, clashes between armed groups and security forces have taken place across a wide area, including neighbourhoods close to the capital, Bangui," it added.

Earlier this week, Russia said it has sent 300 military instructors to the CAR upon its request. Rwanda has also deployed force protection troops to the CAR under an existing bilateral agreement on defense.

Mr. Guterres called for an urgent end to all hostile actions, and for Central Africans to work together, to ensure favourable conditions for the holding of credible, inclusive and peaceful elections on 27 December, and to "refrain from disinformation, hate speech and incitement to violence".

Voters in the CAR will cast their ballots on 30 December in presidential and parliamentary elections aimed at re-establishing an elected administration after three years of turmoil.

A transitional government was formed in January 2014 and elections have been postponed four times since February 2015 because of insecurity and logistical challenges, in spite of the presence of international peacekeepers. CAR has witnessed continuous fighting of varying intensity for decades and has been in a protracted crisis since 2013.