14 November 2013
The Central African Republic has suffered a horrific collapse. But is the worst violence between the country’s Muslims and Christians yet to come?
In the schoolrooms of the northern Central African Republic (CAR), the blackboards still show dates from late March — when Seleka rebels seized power in the country and a nightmare began. Since then, the armed Seleka, whose collective name means “alliance” in Sango, the local language, have ruled through fear: burning down village after village, firing randomly at civilians from their pick-up trucks, executing farmers in their fields, and murdering women and children. Their brutality continues to spread like a deadly cancer.
Hundreds of thousands have been forced to flee their homes and hide deep in the bush, where countless have died from disease. The Ouham prefecture, where 170,000 people have been displaced, is the country’s worst-affected area. Around Bossangoa, Ouham’s capital, it is possible to drive for hours without seeing a single person in a village — and the sound of a car engine is enough to stir terror among the displaced walking along rutted, rural dirt roads in search of safety.
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