Pray Now: Crisis in Central Africa Republic Andy Freeman - 13 Dec 2013
When you hear about crisis points in the continent of Africa there a few names which regularly come up - Sudan, Rwanda, Somalia maybe.
Strangely though not many people talk about the Central African Republic (CAR). This is strange because since gaining independence in the 1960’s there have been 8 different coups or revolutions and a host of dictators, governments, even emperors. The CAR is a country that regularly implodes and right now it’s in crisis.
Would you join us in praying for its people and for peace?
Last Thursday the CAR irrupted in fresh violence with the UN estimating 394 people killed in street battles between Christian and Muslim militias. The CAR’s latest leader Michel Djotodia was brought to power in a coup in March, unseating the President Francois Bozize who was from the Christian majority in the country. Despite the presence of French and African peacekeepers, there has been extreme tension and last week it all boiled over.
France and the Africa Union are both planning to send in more peacekeepers with French President Hollande predicting “carnage” if they don’t. Yet the death of two French soldiers has put all this into doubt.
As ever in these situations it is ordinary people who are suffering. There are approximately 460,000 refugees created from the conflict, accounting for 10% of the population. The Red Cross estimates many of the deaths suffered so far have been children.
A friend who has worked in the country told me of the everyday struggles now faced by people. Fear of militia’s, lack of contact with others, no medicine for those with HIV/Aids or other illnesses. Imagine what that’s like.
We have a tradition in 24-7, which I wonder whether we could repeat here. Would you take a marker and write CAR on your hand? Do it as a prayer and as a statement of solidarity.
God stands with the poor and broken. Lets stand with them too.
All images are used by permission in accordance with commons copyright license terms: Feature image is a derivative of the image 'Rebel in northern Central African Republic 02' by hdptcar.