Central Africa: Christian militia doing more damage than Muslim one says missionary

"The Anti Balaka are doing more damage than Seleka", Fr Aurelio Gazzera, a Carmelite missionary who works in Bozoum in the west of the Central African Republic has told Fides news agency.

"The behaviour of the Anti Balaka varies from area to area. In the provinces where international forces have been deployed, like here in Bozoum, the situation is calmer, but the situation is to be followed day by day because tension can rise suddenly" says the missionary. The Anti Balaka are responsible for the violence against the Muslim population, considered an accomplice of the former Seleka rebels.

"The heavy concentration of Seleka in Kaga-Bandoro is a worrying fact " said Fr Aurelio.

The missionary also reports that the food supply now is at risk. "Before leaving Bozoum, Seleka destroyed seed stores, so there will be huge problems to start the next harvest. Funds donated by international organizations for food security were also eliminated. The products from abroad were commercialized mostly by Muslims, who were forced to flee, the prices of these products have risen", said the missionary.

Fr Aurelio said an airlift had been organised to transport food to the region. Transporting food by road would have been much cheaper he said. But he said the road that connects the Central African Republic to Cameroon is not safe.

Source: Fides

See earlier story: ICN 3 January 2014 - Central African Republic: Catholic, Muslim leaders make joint appeal to UN www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=23888