Since March of 2013, the Central African Republic (CAR) has been plagued by violence, instability, and chaos. Rebel groups, guerrillas, gangs, and militias all have run mostly unchecked through the country. While the origin of the conflict was not necessarily religious, most groups now align, at least nominally, either with the Muslim or Christian faith. Killing for control of areas and revenge fuels much of the violence.
Atrocities have been committed across the country and touched both Muslim and Christian communities. It is estimated that over 600,000 CAR residents have been displaced internally – homeless and living in shelters or missions; and over 530,000 have fled the country as refugees. Civilians continue to bear the brunt of fighting in central, northwestern, and eastern regions of the country, where predominantly Muslim Seleka rebel groups, largely Christian and animist anti-balaka militias, and other armed groups remain active.
Pray for an end to the violence in CAR, that the leaders of these hate groups are brought to justice, and that Christians show the love, mercy, and grace of Jesus Christ to their neighbors.
- Why have one in four fled their homes in CAR? – BBC 2014
- Neither Christian Nor Muslim Is Safe In Central African Republic – NPR 2014
- Central African Republic: crisis update – September 2017 – Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
- Gunmen Attack Church in Central African Republic, and Warn of More Violence – New York Times 2018
- Scores of Christians on the Run as Violence Continues to Grip Central African Republic – CBNNews 2018