The Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked country in Africa with a population of around 4.6 million. It’s roughly the same sort of size as Texas. It borders Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon. Recently CAR has been hitting the news for all sorts of bad reasons.
The country was French owned until it won its independence in 1960. Since then the country has enjoyed literally no stability at all. There have been eight coups in all and things only seem to be getting worse.
Sectarian violence has been on the rise since their first even Muslim leader – Michel Djotodia – was installed to power by the rebels in March 2013. Violent attacks on civilians are on the rise and Djotodia stepped down last week under pressure from neighbouring countries.
Sectarian violence had never been much of an issue in the country before. But since Djotodia hired muslim militiamen from Chad and Sudan to join his Seleka alliance and sweep to power with a flourish of murder, sectarian attacks have become commonplace.
Around 20% of the entire population of 4.6 million people have left their homes through fear of violence. These, mostly Christian evacuees, are now living in make-shift slums and shanty towns (below) and aid agencies are warning that they’re heading for a humanitarian disaster. Water and food is scarce and disease rife.
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