We offer our prayers for all those in the Central African Republic, (CAR), during these troubled times.
Recently, I reported that the United States would be assisting the French in the Republic by providing logistical support and troop movement assistance.
Today, I regret to inform you of the deaths of three pastors killed in the recent interfaith violence in Bangui, the capital of the CAR. Pastors Raymond Doui, 46, Elisha Zama, 33, and Jean-Louis Makamba, 48, were killed on December 5 as members of the disbanded Seleka rebel forces went on a rampage following an offensive by Christian-dominated anti-Balaka militias.
Doui who was pastor of the Community of Independent Baptist Churches, died at his house in the Northern suburb of Fondo. Zama, from the Evangelical Church of the Brethren was among those killed as ex-Seleka forces raided a hospital and Makamba, who was pastor of the ELIM Church in the Begoua North area was killed alongside one of his sons, also by ex-Seleka members who had entered the church compound.
There is another pastor who is not being identified for safety reasons, who is on the run with his family after he learned that the rebels were looking for him. He is from a Muslim background and went into hiding after the rebels burnt his home and the homes of his relatives living nearby.
In all, over 400 have died in three days, according to the Red Cross while dozens more have sought treatment in already overcrowded hospitals. The number of deaths is likely to be far higher according to a source cited by Open Doors International, a charity that works with Christians under pressure for their faith. Again, for safety, the source is not named but says, “In reality we must speak of at least 700 dead. The Red Cross has not counted the people who have been slaughtered and thrown into the river or buried directly by relatives.”
In spite of the arrival of the French and the beginning of the disarmament, the killings continue. The war has become strictly religious in nature. Anti-Balaka defensive forces attacked the ex-Seleka and other Muslims first which invited terrible retaliation against the Christians. Ex-Seleka and Muslim men, women and children armed with fire arms and machetes went from house to house killing Christians regardless of age. The streets of Bangui are littered with corpses and the Red Cross has buried hundreds of bodies in mass graves.The Central African Republic has been ravaged by violence since March when a coalition of rebel groups, led by Michel Djotodia under the Seleka banner, drove out President Francois Bozize. Djotodia took control of a transitional government but lost control of Seleka soldiers. He disbanded the Seleka in September but its members continue to loot, rape and murder, Christians in particular.
On December 5, the United Nations Security Council authorized the expansion of the African and French military forces currently attempting to maintain security in the CAR and started planning for the possible conversion of those forces to a UN-managed peacekeeping operation.
To read my previous report on this conflict, click here: https://fggam.org/defense-secretary-hagel-orders-u-s-support-in-central-african-republic/