More than 40 people were killed in a militia attack on a Catholic mission in the Central African Republic last week, it has emerged.
The cathedral and surrounding buildings – which had been providing shelter for some 20,000 internally displaced people – as well as the bishop’s residence in the town of Alindao, about 300 kilometres east of the CAR capital of Bangui, were reportedly looted and some of the buildings were burned in the attack last Thursday.
At least 42 people were reportedly killed in the attack including at least one priest. It has been attributed to an armed group and apparently came in retaliation for the death of a Muslim man.
It comes against the backdrop of ongoing fighting between so-called anti-Balaka militia, composed mainly of people who identify as Christians, and Seleka militia, composed mainly of Muslims.
Mervyn Thomas, chief executive of UK-based religious freedom advocacy CSW, described the attack as “abhorrent” and extended his condolences to all affected.
“We remain deeply concerned by the reports of civilians being targeted by armed groups for their perceived religious or ethnic identity,” he said in a statement. “We call on the government of CAR to bring those responsible for this attack to justice and urge the international community to support the government as it works to bring an end to the cycle of violence and the ongoing humanitarian crisis.”
