Central African Republic: Catholic, Muslim leaders make joint appeal to UN

Christian and Muslim leaders in Banjul, capital of the Central African Republic have issued a joint statement calling for a UN peacekeeping force to prevent all-out war in their country. Despite the intervention of French and African troops, the situation in the country remains precarious.

"The Central African Republic remains on the verge of a war with religious aspects" warned Mgr Dieudonné Nzapalainga, Archbishop of Bangui, and Omar Kobine Layama, Imam of the Central African capital, in a joint appeal published by the French newspaper Le Monde.

"Nearly half the population "desperately need aid", and about 40,000 people have taken refuge at Bangui airport where they are living without shelter or toilet facilities", write the two religious leaders who call on the UN to deploy a peacekeeping force "with the utmost urgency".

Meanwhile, Caritas networks have mobilized to bring aid to victims. Caritas of the United States, with the support of the Frenc , has launched a program in Bossangoa, a town in the north of the Country, where since the beginning of the fighting tens of thousands of people have taken refuge near the Catholic mission. The program, which will last until August, also provides for the distribution of aid to another site, where the majority of the displaced are Muslims.

Source: Fides