Central African Republic 2013. For Le Monde. On the 5th of December 2013, Christian anti-Balaka militiamen came to Bangui to take control over the capital and overthrow transitional President Michel Djotodia, who had come to power in March 2013, after the Seleka’s military coup. This attack, and the harsh repression of the Seleka soldiers, predominantly Muslim, against civilians, plunged the country into fear, starting a vicious circle of inter-community violence.
During the month of December, the gap grew wider between those who claim to “have been living well together, before”.
Day after day, rumours exaggerate the exactions from both camps, urging both Christian and Muslim extremists to looting, revenge and reprisals. Then, public beatings started to occur. Every day. In front of French soldiers of the Sangaris Operation.
Every morning of December, terrorized Bangui inhabitants looked at the Red Cross employees removing the corps of those who had been killed during the night.
Today, almost one million of Central African have left their homes to take a refuge in schools, churches or on the tarmac of the Bangui airport, which is under the protection of the French Army. A very deep humanitarian crisis adds to a political and security one.
The International Community hesitates to get involved, afraid by a country where political life is governed by coups and politicians are not well known.
France, that intervened too late and with not enough soldiers, can’t rely on the African forces of the MISCA (International Support Mission to the Central African Republic) which is too disorganized. The former colonial country is now stuck in the middle of the Central African quagmire, in spite of itself.
Central African Republic is going through the most important crisis of its history. Everyday, hate, resentment and despair guide its inhabitants towards a dark future. January, 7th. 2014.
WATCH THE FIRST PART OF THE STORY by Michaël Zumstein
READ MORE ON LE MONDE by Cyril Bensimon & Rémy Ourdan
READ MORE ON LE FIGARO by Adrien Jaulmes & Tanguy Berthemet
WATCH MORE ON ITELE by Florence Lozach & Peggy Bruguière
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Etrange comme cette photo du gamin allongé sur une échoppe rose et jaune rappelle méchamment celle de ton gamin en RDC, ds un hosto je crois. Même pose, même expression… même horreur environnante ? Très bon boulot Mike, fier de toi !
Michael, merci pour ces photos de Centrafrique. J’ai travaille en RCA entre 1996-1997. A l’epoque les tensions etaient entre ethnies mais pas entre religions. Et puis l’armee francaise tres presente a Bangui et a Bouar continuait d’assurer un minimum de stabilite dans le pays. Malheureusement certaines scenes de vos photos se passaient deja lors de mon sejour. Si on ne l’a pas vecu il est difficile de realiser comment la foule peut en une fraction basculer dans la folie meutriere qui contraste tellement avec le rythme paisiblee de la vie en Afrique. Je suis aussi etonne de voir que la carcasse du trone de Bokassa est toujours la. A l’epoque elle etait le long du palais des sports. Je la voyais chaque jour en allant a mon travaille et j’ai souvent regrette de ne pas avoir pris de photos a l’epoque. Quelle tristesse pour les habitants de ce fascinant pays en plein coeur de l’Afrique. Cordialement. Denis
Her loss will be greatly felt by all those flwlooing her story and also with doctors beyond borders. RIP and may you be a shining star in the heavens.