Tag: Anti-balaka

CAR archbishop hopeful, cautious about cease-fire

August 1, 2014 Central African Republic Anti-balaka, Genocide, Seleka, UN

Dieudonné Nzapalainga, archbishop of BanguiCourtesy of Open Doors International Armed groups in the Central African Republic have reached a cease-fire deal aimed at putting an end to the violence that has engulfed the country since March 2013. The 10-part agreement was signed July 23 in Brazzaville, the capital of . . . Read More

Priest pioneers peace process amid CAR’s chaos

June 29, 2014 Central African Republic Anti-balaka, Bozoum, Central African Republic, Seleka

Despite the Central Africa Republic (CAR)’s increasing level of chaos, a glimmer of hope has been developing in its northern city Bozoum – which is peaceful and prosperous – thanks to mediation efforts. This city of about 26,000 inhabitants enjoys a relative calm which ensures the functioning of vital services . . . Read More

‘Ample evidence’ of war crimes in CAR

June 6, 2014 Central African Republic Anti-balaka, Central African Republic, Genocide, Seleka

According to the UN, it is too early to speak of genocide or ethnic cleansing, but there is “ample evidence” that both groups in the conflict in the Central African Republic have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. CAR’s widespread religious conflict began last year when mainly Muslim Seleka . . . Read More

Tensions high in CAR after church and mosque attacked

May 29, 2014 Central African Republic Anti-balaka, Bangui, Bossangoa, Catherine Samba-Panza, Central African Republic, PK5, Seleka

An attack at Fatima Catholic Church in Bangui following by ex-Seleka on May 28, 2014 left numerous dead. No structural damage happened to the church in CAR.World Watch Monitor Tension is high in the Central African Republic capital, Bangui, as protesters clashed with security forces following a deadly attack . . . Read More

CAR Seleka rebels reorganise for ‘greater control’

May 21, 2014 Central African Republic Anti-balaka, Bangui, Central African Republic, Seleka, Sharia

The Seleka rebel group in Central African Republic (CAR) says it has reorganised itself to exercise greater control over its fighters in the north by implementing a new chain of command. The extreme Islamist Seleka rebels started capturing major towns in the CAR’s Eastern and Central regions in December 2012. . . . Read More

Easter killings in CAR

April 24, 2014 Central African Republic Anti-balaka, Bossangoa, Central African Republic, Paoua, Seleka, UN

On April 8 radical Muslims set fire to the Baptist Church in Dombia, CAR. The chapel that can hold about 1,000 members was still burning the next day.World Watch Monitor For many Christians in the Central African Republic, Easter was synonymous with tragedy, adding to their already difficult circumstances. . . . Read More

UN chief calls for immediate international action to halt ‘deplorable atrocities’

April 4, 2014 Central African Republic African Union, Anti-balaka, Catherine Samba-Panza, Human rights, Islamic extremism, Seleka

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon says that immediate action is needed to stop the killing in the Central African Republic (CAR), citing “grave and deplorable atrocities”, and “to prevent the further separation of communities that have lived together for centuries”. Its Human Rights chief said that, on a recent . . . Read More

CAR clerics plead for ceasefire

February 28, 2014 Central African Republic Anti-balaka, Bangui, Catherine Samba-Panza, Central African Republic, Dieudonné Nzapalainga, Michel Djotodia, Nicolas Guérékoyamé-Gbangou, Oumar Kobine Layama, Refugees, Seleka, UN

Two of the most senior religious leaders in the Central African Republic have issued a joint plea for a truce between retreating militant rebels and vigilantes who have been taking their revenge. “May all the brothers carrying weapons hand over their arms,” said the Catholic Archbishop of Bangui, Msgr. Dieudonné . . . Read More

CAR Church leaders call again for aid

February 18, 2014 Central African Republic Anti-balaka, Catherine Samba-Panza, Dieudonné Nzapalainga, Michel Djotodia, Nicolas Guérékoyamé-Gbangou, Oumar Kobine Layama, Seleka, UN

More than 1 million people have been displaced and nearly 2 million require urgent humanitarian assistance, according to aid organisations.UNHCR, S. Phelps / Flickr / Creative Commons Church leaders in the Central African Republic have reiterated their opposition to the ongoing violence in the country and demanded more troops on . . . Read More

Central African Republic conflict ‘political not religious’

January 17, 2014 Central African Republic Anti-balaka, Michel Djotodia, Seleka

Nicolas Guerékoyamé-Gbangou says fighting between members of the disbanded Séléka rebel group and the anti-balaka self-defense militias is not a battle between Muslims and Christians.hdptcar / Flickr / Creative Commons The man chosen to lead what he says is 51% of the population of the Central African Republic (CAR), its . . . Read More

Catching Our Eye