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Q&A: Why have one in 10 fled their homes in CAR? Q&A: Why have one in five fled their homes in CAR?
(about 1 month later)
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. The Central African Republic has been in turmoil since rebels seized power in March 2013. The UN has warned that the country is heading toward a humanitarian disaster.
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 4.6 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 empty, with people either hiding in fields or in the bush. Some 935,000 people, 20% 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. At least 2.2 million are finding it difficult to feed themselves and almost half of those living in the capital, Bangui, have fled since December, many to a makeshift camp at the airport.
Journey into fearJourney into fear
In pictures: Surviving CAR anarchyIn 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. 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. Rebel leader Michel Djotodia became the first Muslim leader in the mainly Christian country. Although he officially disbanded Seleka, the ex-rebels have continued to launch attacks, prompting the emergence of local Christian civilian protection groups known as "anti-balakas". Fuelled by ethnic rivalries, the conflict has also now become sectarian in nature.
CAR children ‘face sexual abuse’ Profile: Michel Djotodia
Could it get worse?Could it get worse?
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. Yes. Some observers have warned it is not an exaggeration to say it could turn into a sectarian genocide. The effect of Mr Djotodia's resignation under pressure from CAR's neighbours is not clear. Some say it could take the heat out of the religious tensions, while others fear it could unleash a new wave of revenge attacks.
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 based in the country.
CAR: Religious tinderbox Fears of sectarian genocide
CAR children ‘face sexual abuse’
Who are the rebels?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."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. 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. It is not clear who the country's new leader will be but he or she will inherit a difficult task.
Profile: President Michel Djotodia CAR: Religious tinderbox
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 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.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.
How Islamist militancy threatens AfricaHow Islamist militancy threatens Africa
Has CAR ever been stable?Has CAR ever been stable?
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.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 the UN Security Council has voted to take over the mission and bolster it with some 1,200 French troops. The African Union has taken over command of the peacekeeping operation, with 4,000 soldiers now on the ground.
France, with UN approval, has also deployed 1,600 troops to try to end the violence, but fighting has continued, with more than 1,000 killed in clashes since December.
Why is France sending troops?Why is France sending troops?
Is that enough? Why hasn't this stopped the violence?
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. It is hard for the peacekeepers to provide security throughout the vast and under-developed country. As regional peacekeepers have arrived in towns, 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. The peacekeepers have also added to the tension with some Muslims suspecting French troops of siding with Christians, while some Christians see Chadian soldiers in the AU force as siding with Muslims.