BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) — The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations on Wednesday urged more support for existing African and French troops in Central African Republic on the eve of a U.N. vote to create a peacekeeping mission.

Ambassador Samantha Power, making her second visit to the country since unprecedented sectarian violence erupted here in December, said the African peacekeeping mission is now working to fill the gap left by neighboring Chad. Last week the Chadian government began withdrawing its 850 troops following allegations some had indiscriminately killed dozens of unarmed civilians.