Leader Steps Down, Violence Erupts
By Rose Marcus
Since December, Muslims are fleeing the Central African Republic because they are being killed and brutally attacked by Christian militias known as the anti-balaka.The anti-balaka was created in the 1990s to fight gangs that would loot people and steal things. The anti-balaka started targeting the Muslims because a Muslim group called the Seleka gained power in coup, a sudden successful sweep of power, in March of 2013. They overthrew the former President François Bozizé. The Seleka committed many cruel acts such as capturing multiple towns, killing the elderly and children, and destroying more than 1000 homes in the capital and other provinces. Once the Muslim leader Michel Djotodia stepped down as president, the Christian groups rose up and are acting out of vengeance to the Seleka, by attacking the rest of the Muslims in the Central African Republic .
Since December of 2013 at least 90,000 Muslims have fled to the neighboring country of Chad. Leaving from the capital city of Bangui, trucks and cars protected by peacekeepers are going to the nearby country of Cameroon, where peacekeepers have made it safe for them to go to, with as many Muslims who can get into a truck or car because there is very limited space. There is one remaining Muslim neighborhood called Kilometre 5. Many men who live there sent their families to flee to the nearby countries while they stayed to protect their belongings.
Soldiers from France are trying to come to protect the Muslims but are afraid to go into Kilometre 5 for fear that they will be killed in association with the Muslims.
Some may believe that because of how the Seleka acted while they were in power that what the Christians are doing is justified.
I believe in religious equality, and that no one should be killed because of what they believe. I think that even though someone who does bad act is affiliated with your religion does not mean you specifically agree or support what they are doing. People who have lived in the same place for their entire lives are having to leave just because of what they believe in. I think that the peacekeepers need to keep helping and protecting the muslims and bring an end to the brutal attacks. Religious injustice has been occurring since religion first started. It is something that needs addressed by the entire world and everyone needs to find solutions together.
Sources:
1. Kayira, K. (2014, February 20). Central African Republic convoy of terror. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-26274198
2. Raghavan, S. (2014, March 09). The Central African Republic’s complex war, explained in the journey of a Muslim baby girl. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/it-was-a-miracle-she-survived/2014/03/08/04ca0922-9671-11e3-ae45-458927ccedb6_story.html
3. Smith, D. (2014, February 15). Christian threats force Muslim convoy to turn back in CAR exodus. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/14/muslim-convoy-central-african-republic-exodus
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