Former Seleka rebels say they'll work with new president, but militia killings must stop
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Former Seleka rebels say they'll work with new president, but militia killings must stop |
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(27 Jan 2014) Former members of a rebel alliance loyal to the Central African Republic's (CAR) former president said on Sunday that they "are ready to serve" the new interim president if she is willing to work with them.
Their comments came as top members of the Seleka alliance fled the capital Bangui under the protection of Chadian peacekeepers on Sunday, witnesses said, suggesting the rebels' demise could be imminent.
Catherine Samba-Panza has been appointed as CAR's interim president, after former President Michel Djotodia resigned at a regional summit in Chad and sought exile in the West African nation of Benin earlier in January.
"We are waiting for her decision," said local commander in the town of Mbaiki and former Seleka fighter Colonel Al Nour Moussa on Sunday.
"If she really wants to work with us, we are ready to serve, If not, we can go back and liberate Bangui, we are capable of it," he continued.
Seleka brought Djotodia to power in March 2013, but he was never able to keep the fighters under control, prompting the formation of a mostly Christian militia (anti-balaka) to respond to Seleka abuses.
More than one thousand people were killed during several days of violence alone last month, and nearly one (m) million people have been forced to flee their homes, with 100-thousand living in and around Bangui airport.
Another former Seleka member warned on Sunday that they are not prepared to accept further provocation from the anti-balaka militias, who have burnt down mosques and forced thousands of Muslim villagers to flee.
"They (anti-balaka militia, christian militia) need to stop all the bullshit they are doing," Captain Hassa Banabi Fils said.
Fils said the violence between the two sides could result in "the start of a third world war."
Mbaiki residents expressed their frustration at the unrest and their desire for peace.
"Kill the Muslims, kill the Christians, I think it is regrettable. What we want is peace. We don't want this war of Christians against Muslims," said general store owner, Prospect Mango.
The former Seleka fighters and some local officials say thousands of mostly Muslim refugees from the local area have fled violence to seek shelter in Mbaiki, although AP reporters saw evidence of a smaller number during their brief visit to the area.
The refugees say they have lost land, homes and belongings and have little hope for ever being able to return back.
Most now prefer exile.
Mbaiki's Catholic cathedral, and other Christian churches in the town, remain unmarked by violence, thanks to Seleka leaders' disciplined control of the area, residents say.
Both Muslim and Christian refugees are sheltering at the cathedral under the care of Bishop Monsignor Guerrino Perin, an Italian who has resided at Mbaiki for almost two decades.
Perin hopes African peacekeeping troops and French soldiers will establish a permanent presence there soon.
"We need to have here an international force, the UN, the Sangaris (French troops deployed in CAR) and the MISCA (African Union's International Support Mission to the Central African Republic, under UN control). So, with the Central Africans, those of good will that are ready, we can take this peace and find a certain normality," Perin said.
Despite apparent optimism by some, the former Seleka fighters at Mbaiki say they will not accept being confined to their barracks by international troops and that they do not trust the foreigners to be impartial.
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