12th December, 2013
Almost 1,000 people have been killed in violence in the Central African Republic’s capital of Bangui in the past week, according to reports received by Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
While the Red Cross confirmed there had been 400 deaths on 9th December, CSW says local sources report numerous bodies lying in many parts of the city.
The deaths occurred after violence broke out between the mainly Muslim Seleka rebel coalition – which took power in a coup in March and installed one of its leaders Michael Djotodia as president – and groups opposed to the Seleka regime known as anti-balaka (literally ‘anti-machete’) groups. While the anti-balaka groups have been described as "Christian militia", CSW says the established church in the country has condemned their actions and called for peace and the disarming of all armed groups.
The latest fighting reportedly broke out on 5th December after armed anti-balaka groups declared an invasion of Bangui. After anti-balaka forces were forced to retreat to the hills and forests surrounding the city, there were reports of Muslims destroying property belonging to non-Muslims.
Unconfirmed reports added that members of Seleka groups – which were officially disbanded by the president in September – then conducting door-to-door searches, destroying property and killing people. Victims are said to have included a church pastor and his grandchildren.
CSW say reprisal attacks against Christians continued over last weekend with many seeking refuge in church buildings or hiding in the bush or at the city’s airport.
The UN Security Council last week authorised the deployment of up to 3,600 African troops and 1,200 French troops to try and quell the violence. Meanwhile, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees says more than half a million have been displaced in the country since the conflict broke out a year ago.
Mervyn Thomas, chief executive of CSW said the organisation condemned the killings of civilians and the widespread violations of human rights.
"We echo the call of the church in the Central African Republic for peace, and urge both sides of the conflict to embrace reconciliation and co-existence," he said.
Welcoming the Security Council’s recent decision to increase troop numbers in the country, he called for "investigations to identify those suspected of involvement in gross human rights violations with a view to bringing them to justice".
"We also urge UN member states to ensure that the international forces are sufficiently resourced and to respond swiftly to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the country.”
– DAVID ADAMS