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.
Central African Republic IDPs angry at UN failure to protect them
When armed men attacked the north-western town of Bocaranga in the Central African Republic in September, thousands fled, including women and children. Madeleine, nine, was among them. She didn’t think of taking a toy; instead, she strapped her 15-month-old baby sister Cesare on her back and ran. With others, she […]
Central African Republic: where government rule only runs in the capital
I’m just back from a visit to the Central African Republic (CAR) – where there is a sense of emergency again. Security has dramatically deteriorated across the country: President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has failed to establish his authority beyond the capital, Bangui, 18 months after his election. To my surprise, I […]
UN chief visits CAR, where lack of aid is leading to starving children
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is in the Central African Republic (CAR) to draw attention to the world’s “forgotten crisis” and its heavy toll on aid workers and UN peacekeepers. The visit is happening a week after the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the country told media that the deteriorating security situation […]
UN calls for aid as deadly violence continues in CAR
The UN General Secretary has called on world leaders to assist the Central African Republic, as the crisis there has deepened over the last three months. “In the Central African Republic, we have seen a 37 per cent increase in refugees and displaced people in just the last three months,” […]
Amnesty: UN must protect Central African civilians
A wave of brutal attacks in the Central African Republic, including the systematic rape and murder of civilians, highlights the urgent need for stronger UN action to protect civilians, says Amnesty International in a new report, published on 8 September. Amnesty’s in-depth report encompasses attacks on civilians in the eastern prefecture […]
Catholic priest killed, another injured in spate of attacks in CAR
The situation continues to deteriorate in the Central African Republic, with various incidents reported in September. According to local sources, a retired Catholic priest has been killed, another injured, and a Catholic Church compound hosting thousands of internally displaced people (IDPs) looted, in separate incidents. On 3 September, Father Robert […]
UN troops ‘complicit’ in killing of civilians, says MP for Gambo, eastern C. African Republic
A local MP has accused UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) of “complicity” in an attack which claimed dozens of lives, including ten Red Cross workers, in the eastern town of Gambo recently, World Watch Monitor has learned. The MP for Gambo, Michel Kpingo, in a statement (7 August) […]
Six Red Cross workers among dozens killed in C. African Republic
This week the UN warned of the risk of genocide once again in the Central African Republic, saying the situation has deteriorated in recent months. Last week, dozens lost their lives in clashes between armed groups in the south-eastern town of Gambo, about 75km from Bangassou, where recent violence has […]
Central African Republic: ‘early warning signs of genocide’ warns UN aid chief
The UN has warned of the risk of genocide in the Central African Republic (CAR), saying the situation there has deteriorated in recent months. “Violence is intensifying, risking a repeat of the devastating destructive crisis that gripped the country four years ago… The early warning signs of a genocide are […]
Bishop in C. African Republic wants more effective UN peacekeepers after ‘failure to protect’
A bishop prevented by escalating violence from returning to his Central African Republic diocese has called for UN peacekeepers there to be replaced with a more effective defence force. Bishop Juan José Aguirre Munoz of Bangassou, who was speaking from the CAR capital, Bangui, also said the Moroccan troops are […]