The Central African Republic faces a humanitarian catastrophe and a human rights disaster – Christians are in fear of being persecuted

Given the humanitarian catastrophe and the disastrous human rights situation in the Central African Republic, the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) demands better protection for the local civilian population. "As the world watches the crisis in Syria, the Central African Republic is facing a disaster," said the STP's Africa-consultant, Ulrich Delius, in Göttingen on Wednesday. "The 3,600 soldiers and peacekeeping forces that are already stationed in the country are in urgent need of reinforcements and better equipment to be able to protect the civilian population against arbitrariness and violence effectively." On Tuesday evening, the French President, Francois Hollande, asked the United Nations to provide assistance for the former French colony.

Ever since the Islamic Seleka Coalition took power in March 2013, politically motivated killings, torture, the recruitment of child soldiers, attacks on Christians and a general lawlessness have spread significantly. Armed groups have recruited at least 3,500 children as soldiers. "Christians live in fear of being persecuted because of the attacks on churches and Christian citizens, during which at least 15 people got killed," said Delius. The situation remains tense, although many Christians were comforted for the time being by the appointment of the new Minister of the Interior, Josué Binoua, on Tuesday. He is a pastor and follower of Francois Bozizé, the overthrown former president. Catholics and Protestants each make up about 25 percent of the population while only 15 percent are Muslims.

"The humanitarian situation is getting worse too. About 1.6 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian aid because of the devastating civil war that went on the last few months – but the helpers only have access to 20 percent of the state's territory due to the difficult security situation," said Delius. More than ten percent of the total population are facing acute malnutrition, the situation of about 12,000 undernourished children being especially critical. About 206,000 people – including 100,000 children – are on the run as a consequence of the violence and the attacks of the Seleka in their home country. 60,000 more have sought refuge in neighboring countries. More than 3 million Euros are needed to be able to give shelter to the IDPs, but there have not yet been any confirmed payments from abroad.

The Central African Republic, which is rich in diamond resources and timber, is almost twice as large as Germany, but home to only approx. 4.6 million people.