Elections in the Central African Republic: Hope for peace and reconciliation

On the occasion of today’s presidential and parliamentary elections in the Central African Republic, the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) would like to draw attention to the dramatic situation of the country’s refugees. “Of the 4.8 million inhabitants of the Central African Republic, one in five is still on the run. But these refugees – more than one million of them – will not be coming to Europe. For many of the people, the ballot is crucial: a possibility to finally achieve peace and reconciliation after three years of civil war,” said Ulrich Delius, the STP’s Africa-expert, in Göttingen on Wednesday. “A lot has to be done to provide supplies for the refugees and to enable them to return to their villages and towns – urgently! It is especially the Muslim minority, to which most of the refugees belong, that is need of protection.” Further, the STP demands the new government to ensure that those who are responsible for the expulsion of the minorities and for other serious human rights violations are brought to justice.
Today’s presidential and parliamentary elections mark the end of the transitional period under Head of State President Catherine Samba-Panza and a serious political crisis that started in March 2013. Back then, when President Francois Bozizé was overthrown by Séléka-rebels, a bloody civil war arose. Both Christian and Muslim militias used religion as a pretext for violence and attacked civilians of the other community of faith.

With courage and commitment, representatives of the various religious communities are working towards reconciliation. Together, bishops and imams are constantly trying to reduce prejudices and to further understanding between Christians and Muslims. Even Pope Francis appealed to the people to lay down all arms when he visited Bangui in November 2015. However, only one day after the Pope’s departure, another Muslim was killed when he tried to leave his ghetto. About 36,000 Muslims are living in enclaves like this in inhumane conditions. Female traders who dare to bring food supplies to these areas are often attacked or raped by militiamen, and there are Muslim militias that rape Christian women as an act of revenge.

Around 447,000 people are living in the country as IDPs, and 456,000 people have sought refuge in the neighboring countries. 255,000 refugees have found shelter in Cameroon alone, but their situation is often disastrous because of the lack of sufficient humanitarian aid.