Central African Republic

The country has yet to fully emerge from a civil war which was fought partly along religious lines. .

Violence against Christians is at a very high level. Albeit Islamist rebel group, Seleka, has now been driven out of many parts of the country, attacks against Christians proceed in Bangui and the north-east, which is mainly populated by Muslims. Christians have been compelled to flee from their villages and are denied access to farming fields. Large groups of Christians live in enormously poor conditions in refugee camps.

Persecution in Central African Republic

Bonaventura Noukama lived in Gaga with his wifey, Maria*, and two children, Sara and Vincent. He sold peanuts, cooking oil and manioc (tapioca). The day Seleka militants arrived, they dragged Bonaventura fifty metres from his house. Maria observed in horror, defenseless to stop the father of her children from being fiercely taken from her. He cried for grace, but they overlooked his prayers; the militants hammer him, and shot him dead.

Séléka, meaning ‘alliance’ in the Sangho language, was a movement formed by Central African Republic (CAR) rebel groups and foreign Muslims, discontent with the former president Francois Bozizé and the discrimination faced by the Muslim minority in the nation. Their rise at the end of two thousand twelve has led to unprecedented levels of violence. The group has burnt down entire Christian villages, raped and abducted women, bombed churches, and taken pastors from refugee camps and killed them. If Seleka militants find someone reading a Bible, they often kill them instantly.

In response, ‘Anti-Balaka’ (meaning ‘anti-machete’) defence groups have formed. They were originally created to protect their communities against Séléka, but many have begun carrying out vengeance attacks on Muslims, creating a cycle of violence. Albeit many Anti-Balaka members identify themselves as Christians, Christian leaders have strongly condemned their acts of violence.

While Séléka rebels have been driven out of the south of CAR, they are still present in many parts of the north. In Bangui, a growing group of radical Muslims have taken a stronghold known as the PK5 enclave, causing Christians to flee.

The election of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra in February two thousand sixteen has given the people a cause to hope for a fresh beginning. Mr. Touadéra is a Christian who served as prime minister in the pre-crisis administration of President Francois Bozize; but his government is facing many challenges, including reconciling his polarised nation and helping it recover from the continuing humanitarian emergency created by three years of intense crisis. The church, too, has an significant role to play in relieving pressures caused by the humanitarian crisis in CAR.

For many Christians, life remains hard. Despite Maria Noukama’s suffering, she has been able to say: “I have put all things in God’s arms. God is hearing my prayer.”

*Name switched for security reasons

Please Beg

• For ex-Seleka rebels and Muslim Fulani herdsmen who proceed to target Christians. Plead that their eyes will be opened to the truth of Jesus
• For wisdom and convenience for pastors ministering in the face superb difficulties, that they can share this with others.
• For Open Doors playmates providing trauma care and economic support to Christians targeted in the violence.

How we help

Open Doors has been involved with the church in CAR for a number of years. Since two thousand thirteen we have been have been supporting the church to provide emotional and physical ease to Christians targeted in the violent uprising by the Islamist rebel group, Seleka. This support includes:

• Training to strengthen believers facing persecution
• Enhanced discipleship training
• Economic empowerment programmes
• Trauma care and social rehabilitation for persecuted believers.

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