Despite the climate of fear and mistrust, Christians and Muslims still living together in Bouar.

While on holidays, I had the opportunity to see the consequences of the terrible and bloody crisis which my country has just gone through. The situation is very bad at all levels. What can be observed is that the Central African Republic has come out of these crises weakened and divided.

The level of security is at its ever lowest in Bangui as it is in other parts of the country. The rise in prices of essential foodstuffs absolutely worries all and gives the impression that a food crisis is threatening the whole country. This could sound unusual for Central Africa, but unfortunately, it is a true report of a bitter reality on the ground.

In spite of their presence, the international forces are powerless vis-à-vis the attacks, assaults and exactions perpetrated by both séléka and antibalaka fighters. These two groups are regularly in confrontation in Bangui the capital as they equally are in other provinces. In Bangui, they indeed control certain districts with terror without being challenged by whoever it may be.

From political to religious connotation no one escapes from the exaction of one group or another. The current authorities have tried their best to restore peace but the task remains a titanic challenge. Besides, it is observed that the calm in Bangui is precarious as it takes a little to spark off again the spectrum of violence.

The image portrayed of the Central African Republic at the regional, continental and international level, through various media, is that of a country at the edge of a “civil war”, a country at the edge of a “genocide” and in total chaos. RCA also has the image of a nation in the grip of internal violence where “Muslims” and “Christians” fight. A nation where it’s almost impossible for these two groups to live again together. Because, for a number of people, the crisis has created a climate of distrust, a feeling of hatred, fear and intolerance. People are wary of their own shadow because no one knows who is who and who does what. This is scarcely described the atmosphere of the delicate period that RCA is experiencing.

Nevertheless in the midst of all these incertitude and sufferings which the population endured, a glimpse of hope shapes in the horizon starting from the western country, namely in Bouar, where a real testimony of living together and tolerance is experienced between Christians and Muslims even at the pick of the crisis. This experience comes to contradict the pessimistic view that shoulders Christians and Muslims can no more live together peacefully as they did in past.

Bangui is seen and described as the home of all these events because of its population density.  More than half of the country’s population lives in Bangui.

It is indeed in Bangui that it will be difficult to speak of a possible reconciliation between Christians and Muslims. In most cases, people’s speeches portray a will of vengeance and intolerance. It could be inferred from this that there are extremists in both camps who are not ready to subscribe to a philosophy of peace and dialogue. These, on the contrary, are partisans to sustain the crisis because of their personal interest.

Though it is true that the crisis has created panic, psychosis in the life of thousands; people should definitely not glare at each other, because violence never solved any conflict. On the contrary; it worsen the situation. To achieve the living together, it is necessary to go out of these useless yoke of sufferings and troubles. Each inevitably has to water down his wine somewhat to look serenely towards the future. Christians and Muslims do not have to live any more at loggerheads. They have all the patriotic duty to break these barriers which separate them by concentrating more their efforts with those of the government and the various actors, in the process of peace and raising awareness to the reconciliation. Even more, they are invited to follow the example of the inhabitants of Bouar and their attitude towards Muslims before, during and after the crisis.

Bouar is located in western RCA at more than 450 km far from Bangui. It can be said that Bouar is one of the rare cities of the country that underwent less property damage during the crisis. It was so, thanks to the determined action and successful mediation of the Roman Catholic Church in that area. The Church was able to call Christians and Muslims to peace and solidarity to avoid any skid. The call was heard and responded to by both camps. The ecclesial commitment indeed bore fruits as, in spite of some incidents, the commitment allowed Bouar to be spared of violence and atrocities, as it was the case in Bangui.

Unlike in Bangui, the central mosque of the Hausa district in Bouar was not destroyed. Some Muslims whose houses were plundered, ransacked or destroyed were those who allied themselves to séléka. Most of whom are foreigners from Chad and Sudan living in RCA as sellers.

As for the natives Muslims, they are still in Bouar maintaining very good relations with the Christian population. In market and public places, Christian and Muslim live together though in a climate of distrust and fear. The climate of fear and distrust is created by the fact that weapons are available at every corner and scene of kidnappings have become quasi regular. In brief, the level of insecurity is rising as observed at the national level.

After all, we hope that the Gospel of this testimony of Muslims and Christians of Bouar living together can change the position of those who do not believe in the possibility of reconciliation, a peaceful and harmonious living together between Muslims and Christians. The testimony can help many to take the path of forgiveness and dialogue to savour the beautiful times of old lived before crisis. This is the challenge which each has to face at this moment when our country is crossing the darkest and most painful period of its history. Ma question to end is what will happen if all Christians and Muslims of the whole country agreed to pay the price of the peace by living together as do those of Bouar?

Yannick KOUDOUFIO, (R.C.A)