A/HRC/26/53 numerous calls for political dialogue and national reconciliation. The security situation remains precarious and the new transitional authorities are working, among other things, to combat impunity by re-establishing the criminal justice system, in order to send a clear message to all those who, in one way or another, incite young people to violence. Notwithstanding the international forces’ efforts, the deteriorating security situation and the increasing violence have forced local populations, and the Muslim community in particular, to flee their homes or the country, either unaided or with the assistance of international humanitarian organizations. This makes it essential not only to strengthen security and civilian protection measures, but to establish a dialogue between all the actors, in order to halt the intercommunal violence, consider appropriate solutions and initiate or support national reconciliation measures. 14. Bangassou, in the south-east of the Central African Republic, is the administrative centre of the prefecture of Mbomou. In that town, where the mayor is a Muslim woman, a religious forum and a mediation committee have been set up. Both of those bodies, which have very few resources, are working to maintain peace and social cohesion between the Muslim and Christian communities. The mediation committee, formed in April 2013, in the wake of the assumption of power by the former Seleka, was reorganized in October 2013 and now has statutes and internal regulations. The committee, which is supported by the religious forum, holds seminars in nearby towns and plans to extend its coverage to the whole of the prefecture of Mbomou provided it is given the necessary resources. B. Economic situation 15. According to an assessment of the economic situation carried out by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2013, the destruction of the economic fabric of the country following the crisis resulted in the mass displacement of populations; the deterioration of security and health conditions; food insecurity; the wastage of natural resources; and the freezing of funding for development projects. As a consequence, exports of goods have fallen and the country has been suspended from the Kimberley Process and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. The crisis has led to a collapse of economic activity, paralysed the Government and caused an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The gross domestic product (GDP) contracted sharply (by about 36 per cent) in 2013, as all sectors of economic activity experienced downturns. Inflation accelerated to 6.6 per cent in 2013, compared with 5.9 per cent in 2012. Government revenues fell by more than half to 5.7 per cent of GDP, while the external current account deficit virtually doubled to 10.4 per cent of GDP.2 16. That situation explains the irregular payment, at least four months in arrears, of public officials’ salaries. A slight economic upturn is forecast for 2014, with a GDP growth rate of 1.5 per cent. This is contingent on the normalization of the security situation, the return of displaced persons and the gradual revival of economic activity, particularly in the agricultural and trade sectors. Such a context does not bode well for the enjoyment of those economic and social rights that depend closely on the revival of the economy. 2 GE.14-03816 International Monetary Fund (IMF), Press Release 14/153 of 3 April 2014, “IMF Mission and the Central African Republic Reach Staff-level Agreement on Financial Assistance Under The Rapid Credit Facility” (available at: http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2014/pr14153.htm). 7