Another African Catastrophe
"We have to end this humanitarian catastrophe and restore security."Religion-inspired killing in this poor African country has left bodies rotting in the streets of the capital Bangui. Even Red Cross workers are fearful of venturing out to attempt to retrieve the bodies, so they remain there, decomposing. Thousands of Christian civilians have fled to the refuge of the airport, guarded by French forces, as armed fighters who rule the country go door to door to seek out their enemies.
French foreign minister Laurent Fabius
"Thanks to France and the United Nations who want to save the Central Africans, soon the Seleka attacks on civilians will stop. We have had enough of Seleka killing, raping and stealing."
Abel Nguere-fara, Bangui resident
"There's a big gap between the vision France has of itself as a global power and as a power that can intervene. [The real question is]: Can you intervene in the right way and when do you leave?"
Aline Leboeuf, security and development specialist, French Institute for International Relations
"They are slaughtering us like chickens", wailed Appolinaire Donoboy, a Christian. Clashes between the Muslim fighters who rule the country and a militia representing the Christians opposing them left about a hundred people dead on Thursday, according to aid workers witnessing the violent clashes.
The armed Christian fighters attacked the capital in an attempt to restore the deposed president, Francois Boizize, removed in March by Muslim rebels who installed their own president.
Friday, only French military vehicles attempting to be seen to be restoring order were to be seen on the roads. Alongside trucks favoured by the Muslim rebels; four-wheel-drive pickups.
A vote on a UN Security Council resolution gave France allowance to proceed with a mission into the Central African Republic, a former colony, to restore order and security. They have a six-month mandate to do that. And when they withdraw?
The Seleka rebel coalition, now in power, have been accused of committing human rights abuses. On the other hand, the Christian militias whose support of the deposed president, Mr. Bozize, have distinguished themselves as well by charges of having committed massacres on Muslim communities.
Without the presence of the French troops, anarchy prevails.
The rebel leader, who had been installed as president, Michel Djotodia, has appealed for calm. His residence along with that of the prime minister had been looted and vandalized. A Muslim, Mr. Djotodia announced a dusk-to-dawn curfew, the purpose of which was obvious; to prevent retaliatory violence against the Christians by his Muslim supporters.
He had reminded people that the presence of French forces had one purpose only; the restoration of order. The French, he said, were politically neutral in the affairs of the country. It is the determination of the population of the Central African Republic which faction will rule.
A certain formula for ongoing conflict on the departure of French troops, since it appears obvious enough that neither the Christians nor the Muslims will be content to have one or the other rule over them.
Labels: Africa, Chaos, Conflict, France
posted by Pieface @ Monday, December 09, 2013
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