This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25698119
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
CAR conflict: Ex-president 'heads to exile' in Benin | CAR conflict: Ex-president 'heads to exile' in Benin |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Former Central African Republic interim President Michel Djotodia has arrived in Benin, where it is thought he will go into exile. | |
Mr Djotodia resigned his post on Friday, at a summit aimed at ending the ongoing sectarian violence. | Mr Djotodia resigned his post on Friday, at a summit aimed at ending the ongoing sectarian violence. |
He was met off the plane by Benin's foreign minister, Nassirou Bako Arifari. | |
At least 1,000 people have been killed since violence broke out between Christians and Muslims in December. | |
Mr Djotodia's resignation, and that of his Prime Minister Nicolas Tiengaye, appear to have failed to quell the violence in the CAR's capital, Bangui. | Mr Djotodia's resignation, and that of his Prime Minister Nicolas Tiengaye, appear to have failed to quell the violence in the CAR's capital, Bangui. |
Clashes between rival militias have continued since his departure. The Red Cross said at least six people were killed in Bangui. | |
Muslim homes and shops have reportedly been looted. | Muslim homes and shops have reportedly been looted. |
The French news agency AFP reports sporadic gunfire, with several people killed, and quotes some residents as saying they saw shocking incidents of cannibalism. | The French news agency AFP reports sporadic gunfire, with several people killed, and quotes some residents as saying they saw shocking incidents of cannibalism. |
Spiralling into violence | Spiralling into violence |
Michel Djotodia, CAR's first Muslim leader, seized power last year. | Michel Djotodia, CAR's first Muslim leader, seized power last year. |
But although he officially disbanded the Seleka rebels who enabled him to take the presidency, he has proved unable to keep them in check. | But although he officially disbanded the Seleka rebels who enabled him to take the presidency, he has proved unable to keep them in check. |
Their actions prompted Christians to form vigilante groups, sparking a deadly cycle of revenge attacks. | Their actions prompted Christians to form vigilante groups, sparking a deadly cycle of revenge attacks. |
Since he seized power, 20% of the population have fled fighting between Christian and Muslim militias. | Since he seized power, 20% of the population have fled fighting between Christian and Muslim militias. |
The African Union now has some 4,000 peacekeepers in the country and France has deployed 1,600 troops to try to restore peace. | The African Union now has some 4,000 peacekeepers in the country and France has deployed 1,600 troops to try to restore peace. |
Following Mr Djotodia's resignation announcement, thousands of people took to the streets in Bangui, most of them Christians who were celebrating the news. | Following Mr Djotodia's resignation announcement, thousands of people took to the streets in Bangui, most of them Christians who were celebrating the news. |
Muslims largely stayed at home, the BBC's Paul Wood reports from Bangui. | Muslims largely stayed at home, the BBC's Paul Wood reports from Bangui. |
Many Christians now want to go back to the way things were with their Muslim neighbours, our correspondent says. | Many Christians now want to go back to the way things were with their Muslim neighbours, our correspondent says. |
Meanwhile, the International Organisation for Migration has begun airlifting thousands of foreigners out of the country. | Meanwhile, the International Organisation for Migration has begun airlifting thousands of foreigners out of the country. |
The first flight evacuated some 800 Chadians, according to AFP. | The first flight evacuated some 800 Chadians, according to AFP. |
The UN has warned of an impending humanitarian disaster in the country. | The UN has warned of an impending humanitarian disaster in the country. |