Central African Republic News March 2014 | Page 6

song of peace

by Sophia Nino

Families being torn apart. Children being orphaned. People being murdered in the streets. These horrific scenes have become common for muslims living in the Central African Republic (CAR). Some families have even resorted to leaving their homes to stay safe. They join the African Union convoys that are providing transportation out CAR and protection at the roadblocks set up by the Christians. The purpose of these roadblocks is to stop the Muslims from fleeing and killing them on sight. Other muslims are more stubborn and are set on never leaving their homes because of the family ties. Their home isn't just a piece of land they decided to stay at, it was were their ancestors before them stayed. However some brave people in CAR are trying to make a difference. In January a new president was elected to help stop the violence. Also a new music collaboration has been announced and they are trying to spread peace through song in CAR.

"Those image we get from Central Africa really touched us. And I say maybe we can use the music to talk to them. And music is more faster than, you know, a lot of things. And I have this inspiration, this little melody, work with my friend here, Idylle, to try to talk to the Central African people, to tell them, oh, stop that. This is really something very bad for the country, very bad for the continent." (Ofeibea Quist-Arcton, 2014)

Senegalese music star Youssou Ndour said this in an interview with NPR while discussing his new music project. He is teaming up with Idylle Mamba a musician from CAR. They hope to encourage the citizens in CAR to come together and they hope for forgiveness between Christians and Muslims. So it is fitting that N'dour is Muslim and Mamba is Christian. They hope that by them working together and making music it will send a message that the two religions can co-exist. Instead of the Christians burning mosques and killing in the streets. That is why this new song is very important. Hopefully people will help stop the casous. Music is a very good way for this all important message to travel as music is a huge part of CAR's culture. Only time will tell if all these efforts will help the tragic situation in the Central African Republic but there is hope when people start taking action and making a difference.

Resources:

Kayira, K. (2014, February 20). Central African Republic convoy of terror. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-26274198

Quist-Arcton, O. (2014, February 3). Musicians Tell Central African Republic It's Time For Peace. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/2014/02/03/270874337/finding-peace-in-central-african-republic-through-song

2