The Central African Republic has yet to fully emerge from a civil war fought partly along religious lines. Although the Islamist rebel group, Séléka, has been driven out of many parts of the country, attacks against Christians continue in the capital, Bangui, and in the mainly Muslim northeast. Christians have been forced to flee from their villages and are denied access to farming fields. Large groups of Christians live in extremely poor conditions in refugee camps.
‘Saints of Bangui’ honoured
The 2015 Sergio Vieira de Mello Prize has been awarded to the three top religious leaders of the Central African Republic. Sergio Vieira de Mello was the UN’s Special Representative in Iraq, killed when the UN headquarters in Baghdad was bombed in August 2003. Every two years the award goes […]
Central African Republic – A forgotten crisis
On 25 July 2014, a ceasefire was signed between the two main warring groups in the Central African Republic: a predominantly Muslim rebel coalition known as Séléka, and violent vigilante groups who opposed their advance through the country, which became known as the “anti-Balaka” (“Balaka” means “machete”). A year later, […]
‘Saints of Bangui’ try to calm chaotic CAR
A year ago, on 25 July 2014, a ceasefire was signed between the two main warring groups in the Central African Republic: a predominantly Muslim rebel coalition known as Séléka, and violent vigilante groups who opposed their advance through the country, which became known as the “anti-Balaka” (“Balaka” means “machete”). Three […]
CAR warring factions devote a week to peace
Delegates to a national reconciliation forum in Bangui, Central African Republic, stand for the official portrait. At front is the mediator, Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso (red tie), and CAR interim President Catherine Samba Panza (turquoise suit).World Watch Monitor A week-long attempt to reconcile warring elements in the Central […]
Sporadic violence builds tension in CAR, many Christians victims
A vehicle carrying Seleka is attacked by bystanders in Bangui, Feb 2015World Watch Monitor An argument between a taxi driver and his customer has led to the death of at least 16 Christians in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR). A man known as Aladji hailed a […]
Kidnapped CAR Cleric & French aid worker released
On Jan. 21 Rev. Gustave was briefly released to enable him to collect some medicine for Claudia. He received the blessing of Pastor Nicolas Guerekoyamé and the Archbishop of Bangui before returning to his place of detention.World Watch Monitor The two aid workers kidnapped at gunpoint on Jan. 19 […]
Peace prize awarded to Central African Republic top clerics
L to R: Rev. Nicolas Guérékoyamé Gbangou; Imam Omar Kobine Layama; Archbishop Dieudonné Nzapalainga; at the Nov. 13 Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C..Courtesy of SFCG The three top religious leaders of the Central African Republic have been awarded a prize for their efforts for peace in the war-torn Central […]
Priest kidnapped, dozens killed amidst renewed violence in C. African Rep
Fr Mateusz Dziedzic, has been living in CAR since 2009, where he runs nursery schools.Courtesy of Catholic Church in CAR A Polish priest has been abducted by armed men in the Central African Republic, amidst rising tension which has claimed dozens of lives in recent days. Father Mateusz Dziedzic […]
Two pastors among 100s killed as UN takes over peacekeeping in CAR
Emergency food distribution to displaced people in Bangui; CAR. June 2014Courtesy of Open Doors International The UN has taken over peacekeeping in CAR amidst an upsurge of violence which has left scores dead, including two pastors. Pastors Thomas Ouanam, 60, and Pierre Bapteme, 46, were killed in two separate […]
UN troops on their way to CAR
More than 7,000 UN peacekeeping troops are expected to arrive in the Central African Republic on Sept. 15, according to the UN’s envoy to CAR. The quotes Babacar Gaye as saying the soldiers will represent nearly two-thirds of the 12,000 troops authorized by the UN in April to thwart the […]