Seleka forces in the Central African Republic were escorted out of the capital of Bangui on January 28, 2014. The appointment of a new interim president and prime minister has not halted violence., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
Peacekeepers escort rebels from Central African Republic base
By Jerome Delay and Krista Larson Associated Press
Thousands cheer as French army escorts rebels out of CAR’s capital
BANGUI – Thousands of jubilant residents took to the streets of Central African Republic’s capital to celebrate Tuesday as peacekeepers escorted dozens of rebels from downtown military bases, in the latest sign the fighters are losing their grip on the country following nearly a year of abuses.
But amid fears the violence still could degenerate into a genocide, the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday paved the way for hundreds more troops to mobilize, authorizing the use of force by European Union troops to join 1,600 French and nearly 5,000 African peacekeepers.
Tuesday’s resolution also threatened sanctions against those violating human rights in the country. The United States also has warned of targeted sanctions against those working against peace in the country where more than 1,000 people died in several days of sectarian fighting in December.
The departure of former Seleka rebels from Camp Kasai came a day after others left the hillside Camp de Roux for another base on the capital’s northern outskirts. Other top brass from the Seleka movement was escorted north of the capital on Sunday, believed to be heading toward neighbouring Chad.
“We are liberated! This is our New Year!” the crowds shouted as the rebels left under the escort of French and African troops.
The mostly Muslim rebels known as Seleka came from the country’s far north in March 2013 to overthrow the president of a decade, backed by mercenary forces from Chad and Sudan. Their 10-month reign was marked by widespread human rights abuses and deepening divisions between the country’s Muslim minority and Christian majority.
Bitter hatred over their rule has led to mobs carrying out public killings and lynchings of anyone perceived as being part of Seleka. Even the departure of Seleka leader-turned-president Michel Djotodia has failed to bring peace.
The commander of the French forces in CAR says organizing the ex-Seleka withdrawal hasn’t been easy. The problem of lawless bands of Christian militiamen known as the anti-Balaka remains even as Seleka forces are concentrated in the PK11 district.
“Things could be a bit simpler and that’s what we have explained to them – that it’ll be easier if they are concentrated in one place,” French Gen. Francisco Soriano told The Associated Press. “But anyway it’s been a lot easier than dealing with those (anti-Balaka) who are out and about and who are continuing to cause trouble.”
While the departure of Seleka forces was welcomed by Christian civilians with joy, the United Nations has warned that the exodus also has left Muslim civilians more vulnerable to retaliatory attacks from armed Christian militiamen known as the anti-Balaka.
On Tuesday, heavy gunfire rang out through several residential neighbourhoods in the north of Bangui.
“They’ve just increased the number of Seleka here by 600 men. They fired on us with heavy weapons all morning,” said Mathurin Dimbele, who lives in the PK10 district.
There were no immediate reports of injuries and the local Red Cross said it could not provide a toll because security conditions prevented its teams from entering affected areas.
Dimbele said his neighbourhood is surrounded by armed groups. “We are surrounded by anti-Balaka on one side, the Seleka on another and armed Peul Muslims on another side too.
“We are calling on the country’s authorities and the international forces to rapidly begin the process of disarming these people,” he added.
Humanitarian organizations have called for African Union and French forces in Central African Republic to deploy more strongly outside the capital and especially in remote areas where they said any killings might never be reported.
At the deserted Camp Kasai base, about a dozen or so Muslims who had sought refuge among Seleka fighters said they didn’t know where to go.
“It’s like they have no need for us anymore,” said Mustafa Abakar. “And we are Central Africans, this is our country. Foreigners can go home, but where are we to go? “
Larson reported from Dakar, Senegal. Associated Press journalists Andrew Drake and Hippolyte Marboua in Bangui, Central African Republic, and Alexandra Olson at the United Nations contributed to this report.
The Canadian Press, 2014
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