(Vatican Radio) The United Nations political affairs chief Jeffery Feltman has warned
the Central African Republic is on the brink of catastrophe, with 2.2 million people
in need of assistance. The political and humanitarian crisis in the Central African
Republic has deteriorated since heavy unrest in the capital, Bangui, was sparked in
early December by clashes between the Christian militia calling itself the anti-Balaka
and the Muslim rebels who seized power in March.
In his warning to the UN
security council, political affairs chief Jeffery Feltman said the conflict is developing
“troubling sectarian and religious connotations”. Other aid agencies have warned underlying
sectarian tensions in the Central African Republic are being exploited by the Seleka
rebel group, whose members hail mainly from neighbouring African countries.
Mr
Feltman said some 513,000 people, or half the inhabitants of Bangui, have been forced
to flee their homes, with approximately 100,000 living in a makeshift camp at the
airport. He also urged action from the interim government of the Central African Republic,
and praised the work of church organisations on the ground.
In December the
UN Security Council authorized a multinational African peacekeeping force, which is
expected to increase its troop strength from about 2,500 to 3,500, to keep a lid on
the violence. France also sent in about 1,600 troops to back them up.