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Why have one in 10 fled their homes in CAR? Q&A: Why have one in 10 fled their homes in CAR?
(8 days later)
The Central African Republic (CAR) has been in turmoil since rebels seized power in March. The UN deputy secretary general has warned the country is descending into "complete chaos" and called for urgent action. The Central African Republic (CAR) has been in turmoil since rebels seized power in March. The UN has voted to send a peacekeeping force to restore law and order.
What is life like in CAR?What is life like in CAR?
Most people are terrified as lawlessness has overtaken the country, which is bigger than Spain and Portugal combined. Armed men from rival groups trawl many areas looting, killing, burning crops and homes. Many villages are now empty, with people either hiding in fields or in the bush. Some 460,000 people - 10% of the 4.5 million population - have fled their homes. Most people are terrified as lawlessness has overtaken the country, which is bigger than Spain and Portugal combined. Armed men from rival groups trawl many areas looting, killing, burning crops and homes. Many villages are now empty, with people either hiding in fields or in the bush. Some 460,000 people - 10% of the 4.6 million population - have fled their homes.
Some 1.1 million outside the capital, Bangui, finding it extremely difficult to feed themselves.Some 1.1 million outside the capital, Bangui, finding it extremely difficult to feed themselves.
In pictures: Surviving Central African Republic anarchy Journey into fear
In pictures: Surviving CAR anarchy
Why is it so bad?Why is it so bad?
Lack of security means that the UN and other agencies are unable to help those in remote areas; schools and hospitals have been looted by the former rebel coalition, Seleka, that took power and about 70% of children are no longer going to school, and some are being recruited as soldiers.Lack of security means that the UN and other agencies are unable to help those in remote areas; schools and hospitals have been looted by the former rebel coalition, Seleka, that took power and about 70% of children are no longer going to school, and some are being recruited as soldiers.
A small regional peacekeeping force deployed to the country about a year ago but was unable to stop the rebel takeover and subsequent chaos. Fuelled by ethnic rivalries, the conflict has also now become sectarian in nature. It is the first time the country has had a Muslim leader, and although President Michel Djotodia officially disbanded Seleka, the ex-rebels have continued to launch attacks, prompting the emergence of local Christian civilian protection groups known as "anti-balakas".A small regional peacekeeping force deployed to the country about a year ago but was unable to stop the rebel takeover and subsequent chaos. Fuelled by ethnic rivalries, the conflict has also now become sectarian in nature. It is the first time the country has had a Muslim leader, and although President Michel Djotodia officially disbanded Seleka, the ex-rebels have continued to launch attacks, prompting the emergence of local Christian civilian protection groups known as "anti-balakas".
CAR children ‘face sexual abuse’CAR children ‘face sexual abuse’
Could it get worse?Could it get worse?
Yes - some UN officials have warned it could become a genocide. The Muslim minority in the north have long complained of being neglected by various Christian-dominated governments that have ruled the former French colony since independence in 1960. In Bossangoa, in the north-west, the town is divided with some 37,000 Christians taking refuge at the town's Catholic mission. Father Frederic Tonfio at the town's St Antoine Cathedral told the BBC it was not an exaggeration to believe it could turn into a genocide. Yes. In Bossangoa, in the north-west, the town is divided with some 37,000 Christians taking refuge at the town's Catholic mission. Father Frederic Tonfio at the town's St Antoine Cathedral told the BBC it was not an exaggeration to believe it could turn into a genocide.
Added to the mix, the Ugandan rebel movement, the Lord's Resistance Army, is now based in the country.Added to the mix, the Ugandan rebel movement, the Lord's Resistance Army, is now based in the country.
Central African Republic: Religious tinderbox CAR: Religious tinderbox
Who are the rebels?
"Seleka" means alliance - they are a mixture of different groups, mostly from the mainly Muslim north, where people have long complained of being neglected by various Christian-dominated governments that have ruled the former French colony since independence in 1960.
Mr Djotodia used to be CAR's envoy in the neighbouring Sudanese region of Darfur, where he is believed to have recruited fighters from the Janjaweed militias accused of atrocities, as well as mercenaries from Chad. He has been fighting Mr Bozize for many years. They signed a peace deal in 2007 but Mr Djotodia accused the ousted president of not respecting it and launched a new rebellion.
Profile: President Michel DjotodiaProfile: President Michel Djotodia
Why does it matter?Why does it matter?
Apart from the appalling humanitarian situation, the conflict could draw in its neighbours. Some officials suspect that some of the local Muslim Seleka warlords may have a radical Islamist agenda after studying in the Middle East. The ousted government also said that Seleka's ranks were swelled by mercenaries like Janjweed fighters from Darfur in neighbouring Sudan and others from Nigeria and Chad. Apart from the appalling humanitarian situation, the conflict could draw in its neighbours. Some officials suspect that some of the local Muslim Seleka warlords may have a radical Islamist agenda after studying in the Middle East. The country is also rich in virgin forests and minerals - and corruption in the diamond and timber trade has already fuelled much of the country's instability, while its people remain among the poorest in the world.
The country is also rich in virgin forests and minerals - and corruption in the diamond and timber trade has already fuelled much of the country's instability, while its people remain among the poorest in the world.
How Islamist militancy threatens AfricaHow Islamist militancy threatens Africa
Has CAR ever been stable?Has CAR ever been stable?
No. Since 1960 there have been eight coups. Its most notorious leader was Jean-Bedel Bokassa, who crowned himself emperor at a coronation where he wore a costume inspired by Napoleon and rode in a carriage flanked by soldiers dressed as 19th Century French cavalrymen. He was variously accused of being a cannibal and feeding opponents to lions and crocodiles in his personal zoo. No. Since independence from France in 1960 there have been eight coups. Its most notorious leader was Jean-Bedel Bokassa, who crowned himself emperor at a coronation where he wore a costume inspired by Napoleon and rode in a carriage flanked by soldiers dressed as 19th Century French cavalrymen. He was variously accused of being a cannibal and feeding opponents to lions and crocodiles in his personal zoo.
Jean-Pierre Bemba, a rebel leader turned politician from neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, is also on trial at The Hague for alleged war crimes committed a decade ago when his fighters came to help put down a coup by Francois Bozize, who was himself ousted by Seleka in March.Jean-Pierre Bemba, a rebel leader turned politician from neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, is also on trial at The Hague for alleged war crimes committed a decade ago when his fighters came to help put down a coup by Francois Bozize, who was himself ousted by Seleka in March.
'Good old days' under Bokassa?'Good old days' under Bokassa?
Jean-Pierre Bemba's day in courtJean-Pierre Bemba's day in court
What is being done?What is being done?
The African Union is in the process of deploying 3,600 troops to take over from the regional force. Now UN deputy chief Jan Eliasson is urging the UN Security Council to strengthen this to about 6,000 and to turn it into a UN peacekeeping operation. The African Union is in the process of deploying 3,600 troops to take over from the regional force. Now the UN Security Council has voted to take over the mission and bolster it with some 1,200 French troops.
France, which currently has about 400 soldiers stationed in Bangui to protect its nationals, has said it would contribute about 1,000 troops to the force. Why is France sending troops?
Is that enough?Is that enough?
Sarah Terlouw, from the International Rescue Committee in Central African Republic, told the BBC it was not enough just to provide protection in the larger towns - there has to be security throughout the vast and under-developed country, as in areas where regional peacekeepers have arrived, armed gangs have left to prioritise remote areas elsewhere.Sarah Terlouw, from the International Rescue Committee in Central African Republic, told the BBC it was not enough just to provide protection in the larger towns - there has to be security throughout the vast and under-developed country, as in areas where regional peacekeepers have arrived, armed gangs have left to prioritise remote areas elsewhere.
CAR has always been poor and chronically unstable - and weapons proliferate, so building long-term peace will not be done quickly.CAR has always been poor and chronically unstable - and weapons proliferate, so building long-term peace will not be done quickly.