Four People Brutally Murdered in Central African Republic Amid Escalating Christian, Muslim Tension

Central African Republic
 AP photo

Four people were killed by mobs in Central African Republic's capital Bangui on Thursday, witnesses said, in escalating religious violence that could threaten a December election.

That brings this week's death toll to 11, including three senior negotiators for the Muslim Seleka alliance visiting the capital for peace talks aimed at resolving a two-year conflict.

The spike in violence might wreck plans to hold long-delayed elections this year, as former colonial power France and other Western countries push for an end to a transition period. The electoral commission on Wednesday set Dec. 13 as the date for both presidential and parliamentary elections.

Witnesses say three Muslims were attacked early on Thursday as they left the city's only Muslim enclave, PK5, to enter the Christian sixth district.

Two of them were killed immediately and their bodies chopped into small pieces, witnesses said. A third man escaped but was then stoned to death by a crowd and his body left by a church, the witnesses said.

"I am shocked by what I saw," said a woman from the sixth district, who asked to remain anonymous. "Even children were stoning the man who moaned and begged for mercy before dying."

In an apparent act of retaliation, a Christian was killed later in the morning as he entered PK5, according to residents and family members visiting his body in the morgue.

Mostly-Muslim Seleka rebels seized power in the majority Christian nation in a coup in 2013, prompting lethal reprisals by Christian militias known as anti-balaka.

Muslim and Christians have since split into segregated communities across the landlocked country. Tens of thousands of Muslims have fled to the far north, creating defacto partition.

Despite the presence of thousands of U.N. peacekeepers (MINUSCA), violence has flared again in Bangui in recent weeks, sparked by the murder of a Muslim man. More than 80 people have been killed.

On Thursday, hundreds of protesters blocked a main road in the capital to denounce the violence while residents fled Christian neighborhoods to avoid further reprisal attacks.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said this week that five staff members had been attacked in their homes, leaving one person injured.

"We call for restraint to ensure that recent unfortunate events will not lead to a larger drama...," said U.N. Special Representative Parfait Onanga-Anyanga this week.

(Writing by Emma Farge; Editing by Louise Ireland)

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.