The key issue to know and to remember is:
Muslims and Christians lived together in Carnot in relative peace for generations until a Muslim rebellion from the country’s far north overthrew the government and unleashed total chaos. The rebels known as Seleka were blamed for scores of massacres on predominantly Christian villages across the country.
While I obviously do not condone murder and mayhem, what’s taking place has to be set in the proper context. Looking at the northern section of the African continent (as in the Levant), the former Christian lands, now Islamized, are encroaching themselves upon the rest of the continent. Given the tribal mentality of the region, I can see how easy it is for them to pick sharp objects at the command of this or that leader, when they truly believe that their way of life is being threatened.
NOTE: The FOX article highlights the fact that theses two communities lived in peace for generations, but one has to remember what always occurs once a certain demographic achievement is reached, Muslims, at least a portion of their number begin to issue their demands. In this case, like in Kosovo, or the Acheh in Malasia, and the Moro in the Philippines, the Muslims in the north of C.A.R, want to break away and from a sharia state.
Hundreds of terrified Muslims seek refuge at Catholic church in Central African Republic
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In this photo taken on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014, Father Justin Nary, left, greets Ousmane Mahamat, one of the 800 Muslims seeking refuge in a Catholic church in Carnot a town 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the Cameroonian border, in, Central African Republic. The Christian militiamen knew hundreds of Muslims were hiding at the Catholic church and came with their ultimatum: Evict the families to face certain death or else the entire place would be burned to the ground. (AP Photo/Krista Larson) (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)
CARNOT, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC – The Christian militiamen know hundreds of Muslims are hiding here on the grounds of the Catholic church and now they’re giving them a final ultimatum: Leave Central African Republic within a week or face death at the hands of machete-wielding youths.
On Monday, some of the 30 Cameroonian peacekeepers fired into the air to disperse angry militia fighters congregated outside the concrete walls of the church compound. The gunfire sent traumatized children running for cover and set off a chorus of wails throughout the courtyard.
The peacekeepers are all that stand between nearly 800 Muslims and the armed gangs who want them dead. Already the fighters known as the anti-Balaka have brought 40 liters (10 gallons) of gasoline and threatened to burn the church to the ground.
Even the Rev. Justin Nary, who takes in more Muslims by the day, knows he too is a marked man in the eyes of anti-Balaka.
“Walking through town I’ve had guns pointed in my face four times,” he says. “They call my phone and say they’ll kill me once the peacekeepers are gone.”
Some of those seeking refuge fled from the village of Guen, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) away, after at least 70 Muslims were killed there, according to the Rev. Rigobert Dolongo who said he helped bury the bodies.
