Genocide. For any country that has been characterized by brutal misrule, we are seeing for the first time sectarian divisions such as never existed before. Economic tensions have always existed but it has given way to a butchery based on religious and ethnic affiliation. This is happening in a time when we mark the 20th anniversary of the genocide in rwanda. When that country was being turned into a killing field, the world stood idly by. Intelligence information could have prevented or mitigated the rwandan genocide. I held a series of meetings on da and we on rwan heard from people who said they had the information on hand. Upwards of one Million People were slaughtered and with that information, that could have been prevented or at least largely mitigated. When the blood stopped flowing, the world looked at the corpses piled high and was shocked. Never again, was the phrase on everyones lips. It is happening again. The question before us today is whether the phrase never again is one that we simply used to Pay Lip Service while nothing is being done, and whether or not we are going to act decisively. We have two distinguished witnesses. Acting secretary jackson and ann richards, assistant secretary for population refugees and migration. While the state department sending to people to testify is ing, the question i will be asking them to answer is, not what are we doing but are we doing enough . In 2012, the administration created an atrocities prevention board following a president ial studies directive which stated that preventing mass atrocities and genocide is a Core National security interest and a core moral responsibility of the United States. The apb has proposed to provide Early Warning of mass atrocities to stop such atrocities. Where has the board then . Did we take our eyes off the ball . Perhaps we are confronted by too many other crises. While we have taken some steps including authorizing 170 mine Million Dollars in peacekeeping are such resources adequate . We have a situation in a country where the population is roughly 5. 2 Million People. 1. 3 million are at risk of starvation while 2. 5 million are estimated in need of other forms of assistance. That is nearly half the country. E are seeing ethnic cleansing whole villages are being emptied and the countryside laid waste. There are more than 600,000 displaced persons plus more than 320,000 others who are refugees in neighboring countries. The situation has worsened. The total number of those displaced has doubled since last november when it was estimated at 460,000. For the numbers killed are hard to come by. We hope our witnesses will be able to shed light on that. We are told that 2000 people have been killed since december alone. I believe that number is probably a conservative estimate. What reports we do receive our bloodcurdling. Human rights watch reported on an attack of a muslim neighborhood. In the Early Morning hours, socalled antibalata forces. A father recounted how at the family was fleeing he saw his 10yearold boy shot in the leg and fall down. The child was set upon by men with machetes who hacked at him until he was dead. , forces cameer upon a group of muslims who were in hiding. They separated the men from the women and small children and executed the men. Machetesm have a using and shooting those who laid wounded. The ca are has been beset by violence. How did the country get to this point . What began as a political coup detat in march 2013 against the onmer president quickly took religious and ethnic overtones. As we detailed in our march , he came to power with the military backing of the militia of some 25,000 man, up to 90,000 of whom up to 90 of whom came from chad. They did not speak the local muslim in a are nation that is over 80 christian. They destroyed churches, executed priests, stirred up sectarian hatred where little to none had previously existed. What we began to see happening last november was a reactionary backlash by selfdefense gangs. Since then, retaliatory outrages have escalated and muslim civilians who had nothing to do with this became targets. , wholecase of neighborhoods in the capital city and whole villages have been cleansed of Muslim Populations. As we will hear from our witnesses, there are numerous causes contributing including a fight to control. There are economic motives at work. Insofar as conflict can be described as religious on one religiousis also true fervor and dedication that provides the greatest hope for peace and reconciliation. Some of you recall a few months ago, three great religious leaders came to washington, meeting with people on both sides of the aisle and you and officials. Ae was a muslim, the other christian. The three spoke and i met with them as did so many others and was absolutely impressed with their fervor to bring peace and reconciliation to their country. Just like the christians or muslims are trying to do i guess the boko haram. Greg simkins and i met with the iman there as well as the catholic archbishop who have joined arms to say no to the extremism on either side. We are seeing the same positive interreligious dialogue and cooperation occurring here in the car. A storyi want to relate about another man of god. Ago, it was holy week. A bishop who testified at our hearing was visiting an outlying parish along with three of his priests. He was stopped on the road by gunmen whose leader had occupied his city. He accused the bishop of having thwarted his plans and working with international peacekeepers. He sentenced him and the other priests to execution. The gunmen remove his episcopal ring and the large cross he had around his neck. You might remember, he wore that cross around his neck. The four men were placed in a truck and driven north to the border with chad. On the way to the gallows, their truck was stopped by gunmen. Time, commanded by another warlord. The bishop provided for over 35,000 displaced people in his parish. He cared for them. He ordered the bishop and the priest freed. They were helicoptered back to his home parish in time for good friday. The story really hit home with me and im sure it will with others who know him. Others someone who i and shared coffee with, prayed with him and heard him give powerful testimony. His clarion call was to the International Community to get he said, weeepers need peacekeepers who will stop carnage and do it immediately. I am grateful that he survived to continue doing his great lifesaving and life enhancing work. It underscores the precarious nature and how everyone, muslim, christian, are at risk. They are all at risk in the car. We need to redouble our efforts. I think our witnesses. I yield to my friend and colleague for opening comments. Thank you, chairman smith. Thank you for your leadership of this committee. I would also like to thank our distinguished witnesses including ambassador jackson and ann richards from the u. S. Department of state as well as a range of experts from prominent nongovernmental development and advert advocacy organizations. I look forward to hearing your perspectives on the ongoing crisis including getting an update on humanitarian situation in the u. S. And International Efforts to address the challenges including the collaboration with the African Union and what is at stake if efforts to quell the conflict are not implemented with sufficient resources. In april, i had the honor of traveling to rwanda and the Central African republic as part of the president ial delegation to attend the 20th anniversary of the rwandan genocide. While on the Central African journey, ig of the witnessed much of the poverty, chaos and lack of Economic Opportunities which we know gave rise to much of the current conflict. In addition to attending the rwandan genocide memorial, when we went to the car, it is my understanding in traveling with ambassador power that it was the first time a cabinet level official had ever traveled to the nation. We met with a group of muslim and christians and it was really just tragic to hear their testimonies and stories. There was one woman who spoke with us and talk about how she lost both of her children. Her son left that afternoon to go to the market and never came home. Her daughter was found murdered. She was a muslim woman who was now afraid to leave her house. Mr. Chairman, you have on many about thetalked persecution of christians. Here we have a situation where there is christianled militia attacking a Muslim Population. It is reported that over 90 of the population has been driven out of the country. When we met with the president of the car, even she talked about how her own security was not stable. She was frightened. Many of you here who are going to give testimony were part of that delegation. Listening to her talk about her own situation was frightening. While much has been made of the religious layers of the conflict, the differences in ideology were not the origin of the crisis which reflects complex tensions over access to resources and issues of national identity. You had the hearing and talked about the religious leaders that were here, as an example of how we know that leadership there really do want to resolve the situation in a peaceful way. As we prepare to hear from todays witnesses, i hope we can learn critical lessons. When we do listen to the witnesses, i am hoping that you will provide guidance for us in terms of anything else we can do in congress. Toalways, i am committed working towards this end and look forward to working with my colleagues to find a peaceful resolution. I think my good friend for her statement. I have. This committee since 94. When i did another chairmanship, and he sectarian violence is supposed to be reported and fought against. I have tried to do is emphasize as that was happening when muslims were targeted simply because they were muslim and try to make clear today that both sides of extremism that are slaughtering people because of their religious faith or ethnicity ought to be condemned and held to account. Colleague thatmy we should have a war crimes tribunal. That ad hoc for both sides, those killing christians and muslims. I would like to yield to my friend. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Im anxious to hear the witnesses. Ok. To say mercy to our witnesses for being here. But the deputy chief of mission at the u. S. Embassy in morocco and senegal. It also work in zimbabwe and canada. Oversight in promoting democracy after the anniversary of 9 11 and his full resume will remain a part of the record and is a very distinguished one at that. Richard is assistant secretary in the state Department Migration bureau the position that has been held since 2012. Previous Government Service includes time in the state department, peace corps, and she has worked with the council on foreign relations. She was part of a team that founded the International Crisis group, a group we hear from often on this committee. If you could begin . Smith andou, chairman other members of the subcommittee, for this opportunity to testify about the Central African republic. Concernedown more with the interreligious violence that continues throughout the Central African republic. The u. S. Remains committed to working with the c. A. R. Tensions in all authority and the International Community to end the violence and build a transitional rss leading to the establishment of a legitimate elected government in c. A. R. In the process of taking political power from former c. A. R. President , several have destroyed the tradition and the amicable relationship between c. A. R. Christian and muslims. Fellowship fighters were little more than mercenaries and bandits and criminals who have sustained themselves by looting, killing, kidnapping, and pillaging the country. It is 8595 christian. Was not seen as a religion this Movement Based christians. This led to the establishment of christian selfdefense melissa militias. The man began to engage in revenge killing. First against rebels and then against presumed supporters and muslimiminately against and the religious sites. Attemptedm president resignation occurred only after his role had bankrupted the government and left a path of destruction and lawlessness that pervaded the entire country today. U. N. Agencies and human rights organizations have estimated that over 600 have been displaced since the beginning of this rebellion and 12. Since december 25, we have three at least 2000 people have been killed and another 100,000 have fled the country just in december. We are particularly concerned that the imminent threat against muslim civilians has forced many to abandon their homes and communities and to seek help from the u. N. Humanitarian agencies, the African Union, and French Forces to relocate within the Central African republic or to neighboring countries. Just last weekend at the urgent ,equest of muslim civilians peacekeeping forces transported over 1200 people to towns in the northern part of the country. As soon as those folks departed, the remaining local population attacked and destroyed the mosque and looted the homes of those who had left. This fourth relocation of muslims from their homes and communities is deeply disturbing and fundamentally alters the religious composition and character of the towns and regions. The violence unleashed and then compounded by the malicious may have permanently changed c. A. R. The start tradition of religious tolerance and coexistence. In one area alone, its estimated 50007000 muslims remain at an estimated population of approximately 100,000. Mosques are the 37 still standing. Have traveled on april 7. I will defer to my colleague for additional comments about the humanitarian conditions that she witnessed and are humanitarian response. If you will allow me, i would like to explain just what the u. S. Government has done over the past month since her visit. And end the communal violence. The department of state Senior Adviser david brown is here today and let interface delegation of religious leaders from the United States to demonstrate solidarity amongst religious communities and promote reconciliation. In a show of support for this reconciliation, it interface participants from the c. A. R. , as well as representatives from the Government Civil Society and ed groups signed a renouncing violence and encouraging a dialogue to mitigate tension and laid the foundation to renew peaceful coexistence. On april 9, ambassador to that nice and gnashing ambassador to the United Nations the ambassador to the United Nations made a second visit to the c. A. R. A Ranking Member participated in the delegation visits and witnessed firsthand the dire conditions in the country. During the visit, the ambassador and the assistant secretary and representative met with transitional president and commanders of the 7000 strong african unit and french peacekeeping forces and members of Civil Society to express the continued and unwavering determination to end the violence and support the establishment of the jim mcgovern. Theledged to work with government and that me to help the administration. Toresponse to the request specifically work to reestablish local Law Enforcement and Transitional Justice and accountability to end impunity that is interviewed and violence against civilians, we are pleased that several countries in the region, the world bank, the European Union, and others ive come father forward to provide basic Government Services and support alternative Work Programs that would otherwise help put c. A. R. Citizens back to where. We commend the leadership of the African Union and the efforts with support from the french, we also agree that you and secretary ban kimoon assessment the military keeping force is needed to address the crisis in a comprehensive way. On april 10, United States joined the other Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution 2149 that establishes that you and peacekeeping in the Central African republic with up personnel,ilitary 1800, and 20 correctional officers. They will have the responsibility not only to protect civilians, but also to support the reestablishment of government, election, reparation, and demobilization of combatants, protection of human rights, and dependability for human rights abuses. The United States will continue to reinforce an advance that transition in september and maintain and increase their ability to protect civilians. 100ve committed to million to support them, including providing airlifts for over 1700 these keepers to date, nonlethal equipment, and 200 additional vehicles. [applause] 37 vehicles have been delivered to increase the mobility of troops on the ground. On april 10, the United States also announced additional humanitarian assistance to c. A. R. And bringing the 1, 2013ce since october to 67 million. To support their because silly and peace building, he had committed an additional seven one 5 million to nongovernmental organizations to support the courageous work with c. A. R. Leaders who are promoting conflict resolution initiatives to encourage peace, forgiveness, and nonviolence. Believe that it is important to hold accountable all individuals responsible for atrocities being committed. We are actively working with the United Nations security counsel to implement targeted sanctions perpetratorsical are pretreating the violence. The United States is prepared to implement a gated sanctions against those who further destabilize the situation or pursue their own selfish end by encouraging violence. Nunnally, i am pleased to announce the department of state has appointed an ambassador as our special representative. He will begin his work later this month here at the ambassador will play a leading role in shaping and coordinating a u. S. Strategy toward the c. A. R. To end the violence come establish legitimate government, great judicial mechanism for ensuring accountability. And he will help the c. A. R. Move through an inclusive transition process leading to democratic election. , other members, we are determined and committed to end the human suffering in c. A. R. And support a peaceful and durable solution to the crisis. Internationalight partners. Look forward to keeping you and the committee engaged in or about our efforts. I would be easy to answer your questions. Thank you. Thank you for your testimony and for your work. It is appreciated. I will like to yield. Chairman. Ou, mr. Thank you throughout the year for your dedication to human rights and humanitarian efforts. We greatly appreciate that. I appreciate the opportunity to brief you on the humanitarian crisis. It is unusual to have two witnesses from the state department. Was just there in the beginning of april. We thought it might make sense to come along and provide some eyewitness testimony from what i saw on that trip. There is a comprehensive overview of the situation. I want to focus my remarks on the trouble that i had to chad and also to the Central African republic on april 7. Nt to highlight that the nearly one million have been forced to flee their homes. Two thirds are displaced within the Central African republic and one third have fled to neighboring countries and art each and every one of these people have stories of personal entity and loss, including family members killed, wives and children raped. I traveled to areas near the south and also toured the transient center. I spoke with one man who showed me borders of photos of. Utilated bodies of his family they had lost everything. People had brought little with them. Some are using what little they have to build rudimentary shelters for their family. I have trouble ill i have traveled a lot eared people were in very difficult shelters situations. Weres obviously there places that have been thrown together very quickly. They were state for the moment, but it was nothing for people to live in for any length of time. I spoke to several women, all christian area all of them were in impossible conditions. One site is right there on the edge of the airport. You do not have to travel far to meet with them. Their homes were in a nearby neighborhood. Also protection at this camp. They were afraid that if they went back to their homes, they could be hurt in the crossfire, the violence. In all of my beatings, security was the number one topic of concern. Need tohem spoke of the restore security and a sense of loss order in the country. This is the number one message i want to bring to you to date. We heard it unanimously from everyone. There were concerned about the violence. When i asked them why they had fled, they all mention fear of s. Tack one program would be worthless if farmers did not feel safe enough to plan their fields. I cannot we iterate the importance of government support. It is essential to creating conditions that will one day and these people to return home. Meanwhile, his government is committed to working with the International Community to provide insight inside and neighboring countries. During my visit to chad, i was struck by the incredible hospitality of the people and their government. They had not only open the doors refugees,ral african but also migrants. We are no longer safe in that country. I know the same degree of the other point is that they had for over a decade posted refugees from darfur or. They had many refugees living in the country. I was tremendously depressed by that relief workers were struggling to gain access to vulnerable populations. Two have lost their lives. They were killed this past weekend and northwest Central African republic. There were simply trying to deliver health care. , the receiving only half of the recommended daily food rations. So resources are stretched thin. Several refugees approach me first and only then told me they did not have enough food to feed their children. They were concerned about that. That does not usually happy when i travel to refugee camps. Usually, and they reach the camp they are safe and cared for. In this case, i talk to the World Food Program about it and they said they knew the food was under the recommended levels, and they did not blame the United States. The said United States have been generous with that other countries had not come through with their shares. In c. A. R. Conditions in the camp at the airport were deplorable in terms of overcrowding. Shelter was poor. Ngos in partnership with local authorities are doing their best. It is clear minute the nearly 67 million the u. S. Government have provided so far this year is money well invested. Our work is certainly not over. Since my return, the office of the high commissioner for refugees found it necessary to take a step of evacuating the last Muslim Population and taking them to chad, helping them to become refugees. We are not normally in the business of turning people into refugees. We normally charge a prevent the situation from occurring. Others have been evacuated to safer spots inside c. A. R. These are extraordinary steps and they were not taken lightly. It was done to avoid a massacre, frankly. Very much as a last resort. On april 16, the United Nations released its Regional Response plan which calls for 274 million to address the crisis. We will provide additional funding in the new future. Thanks to congress, we have appropriations to do more this year, but as you know, we are contending with too many humanitarian emergencies. Unrest in the Central African republic is happening at the same time as south sudan. Secretary carry is in meetings today about sudan and syria. While sending will keep people alive, let me remind you while funding will keep people alive, let me remind you they wanted security and conditions that would permit them to return home, rebuild their lives, rebuild their homes, and go back to work in their places of business. This should be our highest priority as well. Representative smith, Ranking Member bass, i thank you for your support. Im happy to answer your questions. Thank you so very much, ms. Richard. With regards to peacekeeping, when can we expect peacekeepers to be on the ground displacing those who are being augmented out because of those conflicts that we all know, and vested interests that have compromised the mission . Are we talking the fall . Is there any way to accelerate that process because, delay has been is delay is denial for those being hurt or killed. Let me ask you as well, maybe this would be to you, ms. Richard, my understanding is that our humanitarian systems numbers are 67 million. Why are faithbased organizations only getting 7. 5 million given the role they are playing in c. A. R. The bishop was concerned you are sheltering 35,000 people and how much assistance only given to those ngos or faithbased entities that could have high impact because they know and are understood and respected by the people they deal with. It seems that ratio is very much skewed towards not helping faithbased entities. If you could give insight into that. Enough of caspar makes the point in his testimony that combatants, politicians, and diplomats were all giving him the same excuses and reasons for the crisis in the country, lack of leadership, and exclusion of citizens. But he also makes the point that, and i thought this was very interesting, that one of the key drivers of violence. If the diamonds in poaching if you can speak to that issue and that there is a need for u. S. Diplomatic engagement that looks at that aspect of it. How do we dry up those nefarious enterprises . Let me also ask you as well, Madeleine Rose in her testimony pointed out if we fail to address c. A. R. s crisis quickly, mercycorps is concerned the situation could metastasize into a new decadeslong conflict transparent transcending the quarter to south sudan. Makes the point, that even with the eu reinforcements, the challenge of the peacekeepers outstrips capacity. Is this design potentially to fail . I am not assuming any old will here, ill will here, but is it being driven by insufficient resources . You mention those countries have not come through with their commitments. How much of an unmet need do we have . What kind of forces needed ideally to really end this violence . And what is conflict and is what is configured enough . Is the money enough . How much are we giving to peacekeeping . When you say other countries are not coming through, if there could be a listing of those countries, commitments made, commitments unmet, and there are a large number of countries that could do a heck of a lot more, i would think, that are not doing it. And finally, and i will have other questions, but i if you could start with those and i will get back to you. Thank you, mr. Chairman. As for the u. N. Peacekeeping force we anticipate their arrival in midseptember. However, i want to note that the u. N. Has already had senior officials on the ground to do the planning and coordinating with the African Union and French Forces. And European Union troops are beginning to arrive. Theyve started to train 480 police and gendarme from Central African republic. Today, we are having the assistant secretary greenfield meet with the African Union to discuss the deployment of additional african troops from rwanda. We are positioned to move those troops weekly. These troops to replace the chadeans. How many are we talking about . What would be the force that would make the difference, and are we getting close to that or at that number . Mr. Chairman, i honestly dont know what the force needed it. We will be going from 7000 to about 8200 with these additional troops, assuming the African Union approves both the rwandan and burundi contributions. It will go from 100 to 500 present. That will bring us close to 9000. Do military planners at the pentagon and at the u. N. Say that is a sufficient force, with a robust mandate to bring some peace to these people who are suffering . Let me answer your question different way, mr. Chairman. In terms of displaced people in bengi, weve seen the number declined from 500,000 to 200,000 which is not to suggest that the situation is not atrocious, and the removal of the muslims and the flight of the muslims contributes to those numbers. So i do not want to be misleading, but the fact that the number of internally displaced people in bengi is declining, i think, shows that the French Forces are having some impact. As we get these police and john are gendarmes trained, we are hopeful those numbers will be sufficient to restore security. We will have to look at this a regular basis and see what progress is being made, but to date, the progress is not adequate. We acknowledge that. As for peacekeeping more broadly, our missions in the u. N. Missions and mali and sudan are both under subscribed. We are in conversations with partners about plusing up those missions as well as contribute to the missions and Central African republic. But it has been a difficult process to identify capable peacekeepers. Finally, you spoke about diamonds and poaching. Central african diamond exports are currently suspended under the kimberly process, but we are hopeful that as the government can restore authority in combination with peacekeepers, that legal diamond exports can once again start. And this would provide the government with revenues needed to pay salaries and provide basic services. As for poaching, because of the conflict it is difficult to know how much poaching is taking place. But it is clearly a problem in Central Africa is one of the countries that still has a significant population of elephants to poach. Thank you. On the question of the funding distribution, it is to the u. S. Is providing 7. 5 Million Dollars in funding to some court conflict mitigation, reconciliation and peace building, including interreligious peace building efforts. I would expect that these efforts would not require as much funding as the type of large scale humanitarian operations that are being carried out for sony people in the Central African republic and in the region, all of the neighboring countries are affected. In addition, some of the nongovernmental organizations that are responding to the humanitarian work are indeed faithbased groups, and that includes Catholic Relief Services speaking today. It gets funding from the us aids office of foreign disaster assistance. They are on the list of one of the groups that is providing Logistical Support and relief in the region. And then in in addition, we have several highlevel delegations going, and one of those was Interfaith Group from the u. S. That is additional costs that are not reflected in the 7. 5 million. I think we are doing a lot. And i think that some of it is reflective in the funding and some of it is perhaps diplomatic efforts that are within state departments base budget. We have the 100 million to support current peacekeeping. We will support the u. N. s peacekeepers as we do thanks to congressional appropriations. The 67 million in humanitarian assistance working with nongovernmental organizations that are across the country, and i think this network of nongovernmental organizations that are our normal partners but that are present in really sort of farflung locations, hardtoreach places across Central African republic, is very important for us. Working in neighboring countries, the un is moving people away from threats. The highlevel visits. Samantha power going twice and other groups. Our diplomats have participated in all the princes on the Central African republic that have taken place in new york and brussels in africa. We have stu simington named as a representative. We are working at restoring the diplomatic presence in bengi. This is also going on at the early april visits. We have this money for peace building. Could you provided a list of groups that are getting the money, the humanitarian assistance, and what might be anticipated going forward, particularly as it relates to faithbased . Again, i was moved and the subcommittee was that the bishop was doing was so much on an absolute shoestring. And he was not going to let a Single Person to go unhelped, even if he did not have the money. It seems to me that we seem to be need to be backstopping people on the ground and have the credibility and have a record, as he and so many others do. I just hope we are not bypassing them unwittingly. If you could provide the force, that would be very helpful. Absolutely on the issue of other countries not providing funding, World Food Programs resources are stretched thin, not just in the Central African republic but in the entire region. It is a very difficult situation, and they are doing so much good work there and also in the middle east with the syrian crisis, too. I meet with World Food Program collects. One of the issues is that the European Unions humanitarian had a cash flow problem. They will have funding later this year. But you cannot go back in time and take that funding to feed people. So this is an example where a cash flow problem, which is not unheard of in washington sometimes, is actually having real damage on the ground. So t hats a shame. And then, the other thing that we would like to do is bring new donors to the table. We have succeeded in some respects in the syria crisis, but we need more countries to step forward and take up the amount take up the cause and provide funding so that the u. S. Share stays at an appropriate level. A healthy level, thanks to you all, but also that it be multilateral undertaking. Finally, you had asked about restoring law and order. I really think in talking to experts that it is not just a matter peacekeepers. It is also a matter of the police, the judicial system, the prisons. This is not my area that this is what i heard from people there. In coming back, linda thomas greenfield and i met with our counterpart, and we are all working to try to figure out what particular role can the u. S. Play in addition to what other countries are doing to help ordinary citizens enjoy the basic Public Safety that they used to enjoy in bengi and other cities and towns. Last thing, mr. Ambassador, you said pregenocidal state that your last appearance here. Is genocidal now . Mr. Chairman, we really have not considered the question whether it is genocidal or not. The fact is, horrible atrocities are taking place and we know that at least 2000 people have died. I do not think it matters what word we use. But the situation is horrible, and were doing everything we can to reverse it. I appreciate that. I do think it matters but i respect the difference. Ms. Bass . Ok. I mean, i can ask. They have not called it yet. I know that there is going to be a call for vote soon. So we know we will be interrupted but anyway, i will get started. Im real concerned about, as i mentioned in my opening comments, about the displacement of the Muslim Population and essentially this stage that that sets especially for extremists, kind of enter that population. I believe ambassador jackson you were talking about the movement of the population toward the north . So im wondering if, i mean, i am sure you sure those concerns but i wonder if there is any evidence of that becoming problematic in terms of outside forces trying to take advantage of the fact that, the revenge killings that have happened. Congresswoman, weve certainly been looking at the question of outside forces coming in just as the Lords Resistance Army has come in. To date, we have not seen that happening, but this separation of religious communities and de facto rotation of the country into christian and muslim areas is very troubling. And i believe the sooner we can restore basic securities so that people feel safer turning to their homes, the sooner we will be able to address this problem and avoid longterm partition and consequences that would come from the. You know, one of the things about rwanda that was so hard to imagine, but i know it is one of the reasons why the country has been successful in its Development Since the genocide, but their whole reconciliation process, the fact that people really live down the street and their neighbors are folks that might have slaughtered in numbers of their family. Im just wondering. I was just there for just such a brief time, but if the rwandans are involved in terms of helping the c. A. R. Leadership toward the future of how to have a reconciliation process. I do not know if there have been formal discussions, but one of the reasons we have been so leased to have for wanda and baroody rwanda and burundi contribute peacekeepers is because of their own history and we believe the troops can talk with people, engage with people, and encourage them to avoid the conflict that we are seeing. And we did go to burundi, and certainly had some concerns about what we saw there and what looms there in terms of the election next year. You mentioned the Food Supplies being the low what is needed, and i believe, ms. Richard, you said the u. S. Had been generous but other countries have been lacking. I believe the chairman asked the same question in terms of which countries and dollar amount, and whether you can answer it or not, is that pretty much what youre asking . I would like to know that information, as well, because i am wondering if there are ways that we can step up pressure on those other countries so that they do carry their fair share. Well, we can work with usaid to get you the breakdown of who is contributing to the World Food Program, specifically in the Central African republic and the region. But i want to repeat the one missing partner whos normally there with us are the europeans. It is an unusual thing that they are having cash flow problems. Normally the u. S. And europe together lead the world and humanitarian response. And other countries that step forward, including the europeans and the European Union, are the canadians, australian, new zealand, japan, korea more and more, turkey stepping forward to play a larger role as a donor internationally. And then with syria we see gulf states stepping forward but we would like to see more countries who have not been traditional donors join us, especially in a year like this one we have three of what the United Nations called level three emergencies. Syria, south sudan and the Central African republic. I am proud that our country is doing so much. I am proud when they meet with my counterparts from other countries that i can speak up about how much americans are doing. But i also think this system only works when other countries joining us join us in these enterprises. France is certainly playing a leading role. What are they doing in terms of pushing other eu countries . France is playing a leading role in situation, this particular country and also in terms of peacekeeping piece of it, but they are not leaders necessarily on the humanitarian funding piece. Whereas in brussels, they do get credit for contribute to the overall european contributions. But also the department for International Development in london is a leading donor as well within your. The within europe. The uk is a top donor. With us. I am wondering about the diaspora that is here and if you feel that there might be a role the diaspora thats here can play. There is a young man and the audience who often comes to the hearings. Whos from the Central African republic. And has an ngo. I often work in the breakfasts and other programs that we do on the hill with the diaspora, and im wondering if you have any thoughts about how the diaspora here might be helpful there. Its a great question. I have not met with members of the diaspora from Central African republic. I meet with diasporas, and recently with eritrean americans. We won the program to resettle refugees in the United States and regular meeting with somalis and more iraqis. It would not come as a surprise that we love working with diasporas, and figuring out ways to bring their talents, connections, abilities to message, especially in the case here of messages of peace, reconciliation, stability. I think that is the key thing they could play. Maybe you just described a role we can play, which is to facilitate the introduction for you. I hear all the time of people wanting to play very specific roles exactly like that but also in development. So ill have another group of diaspora for you to meet with. Happy to. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I guess this question is for you mr. Jackson or for you, ms. Richard, either one. The chad soldiers that came in and killed and injured so many, any idea who they are . Any accountability there . Congressman weber, wedont really know who they are but we will be looking at the units in terms of vetting for future training. And we need to look very carefully at the participation of chadeans based on their conduct. I think longterm and think we need to send the signal of that will be not tolerated and somehow there has to be accountability and the perpetrators brought to justice so there is no reoccurring incidents of that nature. Any way to put pressure on the government to do that to aid in that . I understand that the chadean government is doing an investigation. We will look to ensure that they are held to account for their actions. I guess unlike the other mall shootings, there are no videos, absolutely no evidence to this. I am not aware of any video. The only thing i am aware of our testimonies by some of the victims. Was one of our agencies coordinates with the chadean government to say you have to do more to bring the perpetrators to justice . The department of state does and specifically our ambassador at large for war crimes issues. He has been in the region. Ok. You know, i was doing research on that event, and even al jazeera, the news organization, quoted, said this was an underreported occurrence. Other News Agencies did not give it the same coverage. I think it is imperative for us to keep the pressure on so that those kinds of people know we wont allow this going forward. I think yes, maam. And theyve been underreported in the United States. There was a lot of coverage in the region. The reason i know that is because it was still unfolding during our visit. When i was in chad, they decided to bring their peacekeepers homee. At the same time there was a u. N. Report on the incident that came out. So there has been a lot of attention. And you know, its you know, these situations are complicated because you dont want peacekeepers abusing people in any way shape or form. They are there to protect people. At the same time, we had chad doing so much to try to restore stability overall. And we needed more peacekeepers, not less. You are absolutely right that you cannot support, we cannot support sending people to a country where they abuse the local people. That is not the purpose at all. So we have to be vigilant in keeping that from happening in the first place and Holding People accountable when it does happen. But i do think there is attention being paid to it. Im sorry we do not have specific answers for you today, and i think we have to stay on top of this. Thank you. I remember our colleague over here, Ranking Member bass, i think she said religious differences are not the origin of the conflict. Would you elaborate on what you think is the origin of the conflict . Congressman, this is a country that has had a long tradition of conflict. Youll remember that the emperor was famous for his cannibalism. His is a country that has had conflicts between grazers and agriculturalists. We have seen coup after coup. This is the third time we have evacuated or embassy because of unrest in the Central African republic. There is a long and sad history here. I hope this time we can do better to get it right so we do not have another repetition of the unrest. Some of my research said former president or Prime Minister bankrupted the country and had a lot of corruption. They basically were gone. Whatever happened to him . Was there an attempt to hold them accountable . Weve actually spoken with president , the former president and encouraged him to issue public statements. Calling for calm. We are looking at his role in the current violence. And again, as my colleague said, we want to hold those accountable for the violence responsible. I think yall said earlier, and we are running out of time, theyll call votes. Um, you are expecting more peacekeeping forces in midseptember. What does that make the total . 7000 to 8000 . We are at approximately 7000. Were looking at adding a battalion of rwandans. Were looking at adding 400 peacekeepers from burundi. That would bring the total to 8200. Plus 500 european troops from various countries would be 8700 and total prior to september when the peacekeeping operation would come into effect. If i may add, i think it is important to note that while the u. N. Peacekeepers are not yet in place, some of the troops that are there will transition to the u. N. Force. But the u. N. Political mission is in place and the deputy is our former ambassador to the Central African republic. I will go back. I will yield back. Get your pencils out, please. This will be a matter of record. First of all, why has not the International Court interceded in here and going after these murderers, number one . Number two, you said the troops will be, u. N. Troops will get there in september of this year. Why so long . Im not saying so long in a pejorative sense because perhaps he can describe the process you have to go through. I do not understand the process. If anything takes more than five minutes for me, it is too long. How many troops will be there . When did this, when do these murderers did these murders start to show up on states radar and the u. N. As well . That goes into my question of why is it taking so long . Are the muslim and christian World Leaders, the World Leaders of the muslims and christians, are they standing up and saying to their religious followers, knock this off . Do they have any role in visiting or representatives visiting over there, telling the religious followers that this would not be tolerated from their religious standpoint . And since 1996, in the drc, and has been embroiled in violence. Over 5. 4 Million People have been killed. Thats something that just does not take place over a year. It has taken place over years. And since 1996, in the drc, and has been embroiled in violence. Over 5. 4 Million People have been killed. Thats something that just does not take place over a year. It has taken place over years. And my question is why not long before this . I yield back. So ill try to respond very quickly. We have become very aware of the murders since november and december. That is when the bulk of the violence taken place. In terms of the movement of the u. N. Peacekeepers, the recruitment is what takes so long. One of the reasons the state department and the u. S. Government supported the arrival and putting in place the African Union force was precisely because they could deploy faster than the u. N. And since we are seeing a six month timetable for deployment, i think our conclusion that we needed to get the african troops in place was the right one. But it is very important to make this transition to a force that will have roughly 8000 troops soon to to almost to almost 12,000 in september, assuming we can find additional peacekeepers. And the religious leaders from various countries, including the holy see are taking an active role. Foreign ministers of turkey and and guinea were in Central African republic this week talking with religious leaders. The organization of islamic conference special envoy, the former foreign minister of senegal, was there with them. We believe the religious leaders are working well with their counterparts in Central African republic in doing what they can to appease the situation. Dont you think it would be beneficial if the religious leaders came out on an International Level and made these statements . I do think it would be useful. Just as we broadcast president obamas message to Central Africans in december, i think having messages from world religious leaders could be useful. It is something we have been discussing as we bring religious leaders to visit Central African republic. Thank you. Were out of time. What role if any has the atrocities prevention board played . Again, you have been raising this, you know, have they been awol . Or have they been very much a part of the trying to prevent and resolve this huge catastrophe . The atrocities prevention board has met. The most recent meeting was looking at nigeria and burundi. But there have been regular meetings and we have been working handinhand to make met on c. A. R. . I have not seen the agenda for all of the meetings. But i believe, i can get back to you. We certainly have not heard any outcomes or any recommendations from them. I am wondering what role they have played because it was set up with great fanfare and it certainly has a great deal of promise. Is that promise being met . Mr. Chairman, my colleague advised us that has been at least one apb meeting on Central African republic. Do you know what the recommendations were . I do not but i will get back to. It would seem that people like yourself should at least know what this group is recommending. Thank you. We stand in recess. Thank you so very much. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2014] i want to apologize to all of our witnesses for that delay. We did have a series of votes. There was no way to cut that any shorter. I would like to begin with our second panel. Mr. Scott campbell who is the Catholic Relief Services regional director for Central Africa. He coordinates in burundi, Central Africa, and congo. And rwanda. Since joining crs, he has coordinated food aid during the kosovo crisis, overseeing the Emergency Response to the 2004 tsunami and directed crss response to the 2010 earthquake in haiti. He served as a Country Representative to angola, haiti and the philippines. I myself along with a few other members were there and applaud