The U.N. Security Council has voted unanimously to extend its peacekeeping mandate in the Central African Republic until November 2017, just weeks after France announced it will end its military mission in that country.
The Security Council on Tuesday adopted a French-drafted resolution extending the mission, nicknamed MINUSCA, until November 15, 2017. It expresses support for new C.A.R. President Faustin-Archange Touadera, who assumed the office in March.
The United Nations has a peacekeeping force of about 11,000 troops that are tasked with protecting civilians, monitoring human rights recognition and enabling the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Rebels overthrew the president of C.A.R. in 2013, triggering waves of sectarian violence. France responded by sending a military mission there in December 2013. Its final 350 troops are expected to leave the country by October of this year.
The U.N. mission began in April 2014, following an African Union mission, to help provide security for civilians and facilitate aid deliveries.
The Security Council said in Tuesday's resolution that the security situation in the country is improving, but remains fragile because of the continued threat of militant attacks.
