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Central African Republic leader says chaos is over | Central African Republic leader says chaos is over |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Relative calm has returned to the streets of the Central African Republic (CAR) capital Bangui after weeks of sectarian clashes, with banks, offices and markets re-opening. | Relative calm has returned to the streets of the Central African Republic (CAR) capital Bangui after weeks of sectarian clashes, with banks, offices and markets re-opening. |
The country's interim leader said the days of looting and revenge attacks were over. | The country's interim leader said the days of looting and revenge attacks were over. |
The city has been riven by sectarian clashes in recent months. | The city has been riven by sectarian clashes in recent months. |
About 20% of the 4.6 million population are said to have fled their homes, amid warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe. | About 20% of the 4.6 million population are said to have fled their homes, amid warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe. |
The BBC's Piers Schofield in Bangui says people now feel safe enough to leave their homes across the city. | The BBC's Piers Schofield in Bangui says people now feel safe enough to leave their homes across the city. |
In recent weeks, there has always been at least one district - whether Muslim or Christian - where violence has meant people stayed at home, he says. | In recent weeks, there has always been at least one district - whether Muslim or Christian - where violence has meant people stayed at home, he says. |
The police have also returned to the streets, while some local residents have said the city is the busiest it has been for a year. | The police have also returned to the streets, while some local residents have said the city is the busiest it has been for a year. |
Our correspondent says it feels like a turning point, following the rebel leader's resignation last Friday. | Our correspondent says it feels like a turning point, following the rebel leader's resignation last Friday. |
Interim leader and speaker speaker of the provisional parliament Alexandre-Ferdinand Nguendet said: "The chaos is over, the pillaging is over, the revenge attacks are over." | Interim leader and speaker speaker of the provisional parliament Alexandre-Ferdinand Nguendet said: "The chaos is over, the pillaging is over, the revenge attacks are over." |
Intense pressure | Intense pressure |
Following months of fighting, Michel Djotodia seized power in March 2013 to become the country's first Muslim leader. | Following months of fighting, Michel Djotodia seized power in March 2013 to become the country's first Muslim leader. |
He disbanded his Seleka rebels but they continued to attack Christian civilians around the country, prompting the formation of vigilante groups, which targeted Muslims. | He disbanded his Seleka rebels but they continued to attack Christian civilians around the country, prompting the formation of vigilante groups, which targeted Muslims. |
Mr Djotodia stepped down under intense pressure from CAR's neighbours. | Mr Djotodia stepped down under intense pressure from CAR's neighbours. |
The transitional national council now has two weeks to choose a new president. | The transitional national council now has two weeks to choose a new president. |
In another sign of a return to business as usual, hundreds of people lined up to re-enlist in the army, following an appeal from the chief of staff. | In another sign of a return to business as usual, hundreds of people lined up to re-enlist in the army, following an appeal from the chief of staff. |
Many of them had either deserted after the rebel takeover or left to to join the vigilante groups. | Many of them had either deserted after the rebel takeover or left to to join the vigilante groups. |
Fighting first eased on Sunday after rival militiamen laid down their arms in a truce brokered by the French military. | Fighting first eased on Sunday after rival militiamen laid down their arms in a truce brokered by the French military. |
However, our correspondent warns that tension remains and the mood could quickly turn. | However, our correspondent warns that tension remains and the mood could quickly turn. |
The BBC's Paul Wood has spoken to a man who confessed to eating the leg of a Muslim man killed by a Christian mob. | The BBC's Paul Wood has spoken to a man who confessed to eating the leg of a Muslim man killed by a Christian mob. |
Ouandja "Mad Dog" Magloire said he was acting out of revenge after his pregnant wife, sister-in-law and her baby had been killed by Muslims. | Ouandja "Mad Dog" Magloire said he was acting out of revenge after his pregnant wife, sister-in-law and her baby had been killed by Muslims. |
However, this incident happened last week, before Mr Djotodia stood down and seems to be an isolated case. | However, this incident happened last week, before Mr Djotodia stood down and seems to be an isolated case. |
CAR has huge deposits of gold, diamonds and other minerals but has seen a succession of coups and rebellions since independence from France in 1960, leaving most of its people living in poverty. | CAR has huge deposits of gold, diamonds and other minerals but has seen a succession of coups and rebellions since independence from France in 1960, leaving most of its people living in poverty. |