Central African Republic

Threats from jihadist and criminal groups

Embroiled in bloody conflict since 2013, most of the Central African Republic remains occupied by armed militia groups, with numerous rebel splinter groups targeting Christians specifically. Over the last year, fighting and attacks have intensified, forcing an increase in the displacement of tens of thousands of people from their homes—the highest numbers since 2014. Christian leaders who publicly denounce the violence endure threats on their lives.

How Christians are suffering

In Central African Republic, discuss their faith with anyone other than immediate family members is a risky undertaking. The country is divided along faith lines. If a Christian host talks about Christian faith to a Muslim guest, they may get into trouble. In the country’s northern region, it’s also dangerous to have Christian materials, as well as access to Christian radio, TV or Christian material online. Family members act as spies and report when a Muslim has converted. When ex-Séléka fighters come into a house and find someone reading a Bible, they have been known to kill them immediately.

Normal church life is extremely difficult as meetings of Christians are always under threat of attack, Séléka groups attack churches in the Muslim-dominated areas of the country and especially target churches that are more involved in openly integrating converts from the Muslim community. Anti-Balaka rebel groups also attack churches and any Christians who oppose their activities. Both rebel groups are involved in criminal activities. And Islamic leaders occupy all of the marketplaces, control trade and impose a huge tax on Christian businessmen and even loot the shops of Christians to reduce them to poverty.

This displacement of thousands of Christians has resulted in overcrowded IDP camps full of traumatized people. In many of those circumstances, they were attacked because they are Christians.

Examples

On November 15, 2018 ,a militia attacked the Catholic cathedral in Alindao and destroyed a neighboring IDP camp. The militia set the cathedral on fire and two Catholic clerics, Bishop Blaise Mada, and Father Celestin Ngoumbango, were killed along with more than 40 worshipers.

Pastor Zoundji cares for an evangelical congregation of about 200 in the country’s largest IDP camp. The camp houses around 30,000 people, mostly Christians. Christians must put up with the hardship of the camp because there is near-anarchy in the surrounding wilderness filled with rebel groups. “We find ourselves between the devil and the deep blue sea,” Zoundji tells Open Doors workers. “It has been very difficult, but we are here. We will move forward, knowing that only God can protect us. And even if death should come, I will die in the Word.”

Population and number of Christian statistics: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds., World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2019).