Eruption of violence puts Pope's Africa visit in doubt

A senior Catholic bishop in the Central African Republic (CAR) has expressed fears that fresh fighting in the country’s capital could affect the Pope’s visit next month.

Bishop Nestor-Desire Nongo-Aziagbia of the Bossangoa, who is the vice president of the Central African Republic bishop’s conference said the Catholic leaders in the country were deeply disturbed by the violence in Bangui city, which has escalated as the preparations intensify for the Pope's visit in November.

“The situation in Bangui is a matter of great concern. If stability is not re-established, that might affect a number of things, including the papal visit,” said Nongo-Aziagbia. “We’re praying for reason, peace and understanding.”

At least 42 deaths have been confirmed in Bangui since violence broke out on Saturday, including a teenage boy who was decapitated.

Aid agencies are pleading with local militia in the stricken capital to give them safe passage because sectarian clashes between Christian and Muslims make it too dangerous to recover bodies or help the wounded.

Francis, in his first African visit as Pope, is expected to tour three cities; Bangui in CAR, Nairobi, the Kenya capital and Kampala in Uganda. Kenya faces the threat of Somalia based Al-Shabaab extremist and CAR is experiencing violence pitting the pro-Christian anti-Balaka and the Islamist Seleka. Uganda is celebrating 50 years since the canonization of Roman Catholic and Anglican martyr killed for their faith about 100 years ago.

More than 27,000 have fled the capital this weekend after violence flared (PA)

But violence in CAR is casting a dark shadow, as more than 27,000 people have fled their homes in the past week in Bangui, many returning to a squalid refugee camp at the airport which the authorities have been trying to dismantle.

The violence ignited on Saturday after a dead body of Muslim taxi driver was found outside a mosque in the majority Muslim neighbourhood of PK-5. This is the last bastion of the Muslims, after many were forced out by the Christian militia.

The violence has since shaped into a public demonstrations against the 20 months transitional government of President Catherine Panza-Samba. Protesters have demanded the departure of government as well as French peacekeeping troops stationed in the European country’s former colony.

In the violence, Rev Nicolas Guerekoyame-Gbangou, the chairman of the Association of the Evangelicals in CAR, narrowly escaped death after his home was targeted by the angry Muslims, according to Nongo-Aziagbia.

“The Muslim attackers missed him at his residence, threw his family out of the house, stole few items and set his house ablaze,” said the Bishop.

UN troops were brought in to keep peace after violence flared last summer (PA)

Rev Guerekoyame-Gbangou, Catholic Archbishop Dieudonne Nzapalainga of Bangui and Imam Oumar Kobine Layama have been uniting to prevent sectarian violence in the country, which descended into chaos in two years ago.

“The Archbishop (Nzapalainga) has made a number of radio statement calling people to peace. He is the only person crossing over the barricades erected by the insurgents,” said Nongo-Aziagbia.

The UN expressed concerns that the country may be sliding back to the darks day’s violence of late 2013 and 2014, when thousands were killed and thousands of others forced to flee their homes.

An estimated 27000 have been displaced in the latest round of violence in country where the churches continue to shelter some of the displaced.