‘THOUSANDS of Christians are suffering’ – the words of a pastor in the Central African Republic (CAR) after believers fled for their lives following a spate of attacks which saw 18 Christians killed.
Several incidents occurred in the capital, Bangui, and Nana Gbrebizi, the northern province, in February. Islamist militants called ‘Seleka’ are blamed for a Muslim mob which targeted the Christian region of Bangui after a taxi driver overpowered and killed a knife-wielding assailant called Aladji.
The mob killed at least 16 Christians and injured others. Some of the victims had their heads cut off. Ten Seleka members were later arrested by authorities.
In another incident, Fulani herdsmen from the Islam faith armed themselves and attacked villages in Nana Gbrebizi on February 15. Pastor Arouneka David of the Apostolic Church Mbrès and Sanze Gervais, the son of Pastor Choisi Daniel, were both killed. It was also reported that the herdsmen tortured Pastor Yanike Pierre of the Comité Baptiste Church at Boto village.
During the ordeal, the herdsmen looted villagers, set fire to the bush and let their cattle graze on Christian-owned farmland. The fire destroyed land, eight churches and several mission centres and countless Christian homes.
Rising fears in Kaga-Bandoro have led to 2,000 people fleeing and taking refuge in refugee camps and a Catholic church.
Chris Eyte