The Central
African Republic (CAR) is a country located in the center of the African
continent. It gained its independence in 1960. It has a population of about 4.7
million. The main 4 ethnic groups in CAR are:
– 50%
Baya-Mandjia (Christians).
– 40% Banda
(mostly Christians)
– 7% M’Baka
(mostly Christians)
– 2.4%
Baggara (Muslims)
The civil
war in CAR started in 2012 between 2 militant groups: Séléka (supposedly
Muslims) and Anti-balaka (supposedly Christians). President François Bozizé
left the country in 2013 so the Séléka rebel leader Michel Djotodia took power.
After
raising to power, Séléka rebels were divided and this is a very natural outcome
since their main goal from the beginning was wealth as CAR is a land rich with
diamonds. In 2014, Djotodia resigned and there were preparations for a new
election.
More than 1
million people were displaced and many has been killed. The majority of people
in CAR are suffering from poverty and terror.
Faustin
Touadéra won the 2016 election. In 2019, his government signed a peace
agreement with 14 different rebel groups but peace did not last for long.
The Unites
Nations are doing what it can to stop the conflict and apply peace but things
always turn ugly.
My message
to people of CAR:
“Hatred
and greed will only drive your nation downwards. Nobody can help you if you
can’t help yourselves. Unite and stop the conflict so your children can have a
bright future”.