ATTACKS by extremists on Christian villages in the
Central African Republic have left at least 15 dead and approximately 1,000
people homeless.
The raids were carried out by Islamist militia group, Séléka, which
seized control of the country following a coup in March 2013.
At least 14 villages in Bouar Diocese were completely abandoned
after residents fled, Italian Carmelite missionary, Fr. Aurelio Gazzera, told
Aid to the Church in Need.
More than 970 refugees arrived at Fr. Gazzera’s mission in Bozoum
last weekend (3rd – 4th August).
The priest visited the mainly Christian villages where the attacks
took place, on the road between Bozoum and Bossangoa,
on Wednesday (7th August).
He told ACN: “It was terrible. Many villages are like ghost towns
because they are completely empty.
“Witnesses told me that the rebels had thrown the bodies of those
killed in the river.” The dead included a five-month-old baby.
Witnesses gave the number of dead as at least 15 – but according to
Fr Gazzera it has to be assumed that “several dozen” have been killed.
The priest said that predominantly Muslim villages “are not affected
by such attacks, or only slightly”.
In a sermon at his Cathedral of Notre Dame in Bangui, Archbishop Dieudonné Nzapalainga spoke out against the
ongoing attacks by Séléka.
Preaching on Sunday 21st July, he said: “I can’t remain
silent while the sons of this country are the victims of
the worst kind of barbarism.
“I can’t remain silent while Central Africans are being tortured and
killed, squashed like flies.
“I can’t remain silent while our mothers and sisters are being
raped.
“I can’t remain silent while the dignity of the Central African is
being trampled underfoot, while innocent people are being robbed, while the
just and well-earned fruit of our country is being destroyed and looted as
though we were in a house of cards.
“I can’t remain silent when impunity reigns and a dictatorship of
arms is being set up.”
Séléka, which means “alliance” in the local Sango tongue, was formed
by the merger of six Islamist rebel groups from Sudan, Chad, Darfur and the
Central African Republic.
The rebels stormed the presidential palace in the capital, Bangui,
on 24th March 2013, forcing President François Bozizé to flee to
Cameroon.
A number of members of the political opposition entered into a
governing agreement with Séléka and the militia leader Michel Djotodia was
proclaimed the new president.
On Monday 12th August prayers for peace will be held by
members of the Catholic, Muslim and Protestant communities in Bouar.
Editor’s Notes:
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