The Central African Republic is in crisis once more because elements within Seleka are causing havoc. It is clear that President Michel Djotodia, the first Muslim leader of this nation, can’t control rogue elements within Seleka. Arabic speaking forces within this movement have been accused of being in the forefront of mass atrocities against Animists and Christians. The religious angle is clearly noticeable because Muslim villages have escaped systematic violence at the hands of roaming Seleka forces. Therefore, if the situation doesn’t come under control it is clear that a chain reaction will emerge whereby ethnic and religious tensions will be ignited to a much higher degree. Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) reports that vast numbers of people are fleeing from “unprecedented levels of violence.” MSF is also reporting that many of their staff had witnessed scenes of enormous violence by forces intending to loot and cause havoc. Seleka is a loosely structured alliance which took control of the Central African Republic in March this year. However, while the commander of this movement, Michel Djotodia, stated political aims after seizing control of the nation from ousted Francois Bozize; it is clear that he can’t control the movement he leads. Therefore, after Michel Djotodia became the new leader of this nation chaos gradually began to spread to other parts of the Central African Republic. The international community in Africa is mainly focused on the Democratic Republic of Congo, Libya, Mali and Somalia. Also, with France being of major significance to the Central African Republic then clearly France was focused much more on events in Syria and Mali. Ironically, since it now appears that Syria will not be bombed from the skies by America, France, and the United Kingdom, then this may enable France to do more in the Central African Republic. President Djotodia stated in March that “I consider it necessary to suspend the November 27, 2004 constitution, to dissolve parliament as well as the government…During this transition period which will lead us to free, credible and transparent elections, I will legislate by decree…We will lead the people of Central African Republic during a three-year transition period, in accordance with the Libreville Accord.” However, the early objectives of Djotodia are being dismantled by elements within Seleka which are out of control. The north-west of the country is being particularly hit hard and despite many rebels being integrated into the national army, it is clear that enormous divisions exist. Also, it is more than apparent that Djotodia doesn’t have real power to control rogue elements within Seleka given the weakness of central structures in this country. Equally important, can Djotobia afford to tackle elements within Seleka which brought him to power? Erna Rijinierse, MSF surgeon, reports that “MSF teams are horrified by what they’re witnessing, including the execution of a healthcare worker, multiple violent attacks on humanitarian staff, burned villages, and appalling scenes of murder.” Two months ago Father Aurelio Gazzera stated that “Unless these attacks are stopped, the suffering and displacement can only grow…Although the international community continues to hold meetings and talk inanely, nothing concrete is being done to help people here or hold back the extremists, terrorists and Islamists who are inflicting such damage.” Father Aurelio Gazzera also stated that “Thank God, most refugees are being accommodated by local families while temporary shelter is sought for them. But what’s most worrying is that mostly Muslim villages are left in relative peace, while those with Christian or Animist populations face harsh treatment.” Catholic bishops warned that while Christian and Muslim religious leaders are trying to defuse the religious angle in order to prevent bloodshed, it is becoming increasingly difficult to do so because some Muslims are complicit in these events. The Catholic Herald reports that “Catholic bishops said Christian and Muslim leaders had sought to “defuse the religious tension” that rebel leaders were trying to impose. But the bishops warned that unity had been “harshly tested by the deplorable complicity” shown by some Muslims toward atrocities by Seleka fighters, who continued to “kill, rape, pillage and ransack with impunity.” Currently in Bossangoa you have around 30,000 civilians who have fled to the town’s Catholic Mission. However, in many outlying villages much devastation is happening and clearly many people haven’t been able to escape the ongoing crisis. The UN Security Council passed a resolution last week which will enable the deployment of UN forces in the Central African Republic. Likewise, the African Union (AU) will send a force of 3,600 but events in Mali show that the UN and AU are often slow to respond and that eventual numbers don’t always materialize. Similarly, some nations which pledge support – for example Chad and Nigeria in Mali – also then have to redeploy at home because of internal issues. It appears that France will increase its military forces on the ground in the near future but unless more focus is spent on areas outside of the capital, then the bloodletting will continue. At the same time, it is clear that medical facilities are woefully inadequate and that the infrastructure needs to be targeted alongside reigning in factions involved in wanton violence. Also, it is essential to fully know the nations and forces behind Seleka because the religious dimension is extremely worrying. http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2013/08/15/attacks-on-christians-in-central-african-republic-must-stop-says-priest/ leejay@moderntokyotimes.com http://moderntokyotimes.com