"The chaos is over", but tensions remain in the Central African Republic
- 10 years ago
“The chaos is over” in the Central African Republic (CAR), according to the Interim President, Alexandre-Ferdinand Nguendet.
“The break is over,” he announced. “The robberies are over, The chaos is over. The Central African people must get back their honour to allow the country to live.”
On the surface, relative calm seems to have returned to the CAR after the resignation of the country’s first Muslim President Michel Djotodia.
A National Transitional Council now has two weeks to choose a new president.
However, French troops can still be seen on patrol in Bangui.
Residents in one Christian neighbourhood expressed anger over the confiscation of weapons by armed forces following a tip off that the ‘Anti-Balaka’ Christian militia is hiding arms there.
“You have disarmed us all,” one man cried. “What do we do if the Seleka come here? We are going to die, aren’t we?”
Fighting eased on Sunday after French troops brokered a truce, but the ceasefire is fragile.
Local Muslims say they’re left feeling exposed.
“The Anti-Balaka have robbed and looted all our shops and now we’re just not safe,” said one man.
French and African peace keepers are reportedly manning checkpoints throughout Bangui, searching for weapons.
UN estimates suggest thousands have been killed since the violence broke out; close to a million people have been displaced and 2.2 million are now said to be in need of humanitarian aid.
The transitional council have called on those internally displaced to return home, while foreigners continue to flee the violence.
“The break is over,” he announced. “The robberies are over, The chaos is over. The Central African people must get back their honour to allow the country to live.”
On the surface, relative calm seems to have returned to the CAR after the resignation of the country’s first Muslim President Michel Djotodia.
A National Transitional Council now has two weeks to choose a new president.
However, French troops can still be seen on patrol in Bangui.
Residents in one Christian neighbourhood expressed anger over the confiscation of weapons by armed forces following a tip off that the ‘Anti-Balaka’ Christian militia is hiding arms there.
“You have disarmed us all,” one man cried. “What do we do if the Seleka come here? We are going to die, aren’t we?”
Fighting eased on Sunday after French troops brokered a truce, but the ceasefire is fragile.
Local Muslims say they’re left feeling exposed.
“The Anti-Balaka have robbed and looted all our shops and now we’re just not safe,” said one man.
French and African peace keepers are reportedly manning checkpoints throughout Bangui, searching for weapons.
UN estimates suggest thousands have been killed since the violence broke out; close to a million people have been displaced and 2.2 million are now said to be in need of humanitarian aid.
The transitional council have called on those internally displaced to return home, while foreigners continue to flee the violence.