Religious leaders from around the globe are being urged to visit the Central African Republic to help curb religious based violence in the country.
Religion continues to be used as a “divisive tool” against Christians and Muslims, over a year and a half since the Séléka rebel coalition ousted President Bozizé in March 2013 and over four months after the signing of a cease-fire agreement between the two main warring factions – ex- Séléka and anti-balaka – on 23rd July in Brazzaville.
But Conservative peer, Baroness Berridge who chairs the all-party group on religious freedom believes a visit to the CAR by international religious representatives would boost the peace process.
Speaking after parliamentary discussion on the issue, she said: “The Catholic Archbishop actually accommodated the nation’s Imam in his home to keep him safe.
“But from outside with their invitation and with the assistance of the UN, bringing in global religious leaders and aid, reflecting that tripartite would just boost them [local religious leaders], I believe.”
“The population is de-facto split, so there’s much to be done now to make sure that this two years; which is all it is of a religious problem there becomes a tiny blip on the landscape.”
According to the latest figures of the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs, an estimated 2.5 million (within a population of 4.6m) are in need of humanitarian aid, including over 430,000 IDPs and 423,000 CAR refugees in neighbouring countries.
According to the all party parliamentary group on religious freedom, the international community has struggled to respond to the enormous needs in CAR. Responses to the crisis have had to compete with other better-publicised high-level emergencies, resulting in persistent underfunding.
Only 61% of the $555m requested by the 2014 global humanitarian appeal has been made available as of 20th November.
Insecurity, poor infrastructure, limited staffing and limited and changing access make it even harder for UN agencies and NGOs to deliver humanitarian assistance where it is most needed.
The UK’s total direct contribution in humanitarian support has amounted to £18 million in 2014 (and £23 million since July 2013), additionally to funds already committed through the EU and UN, making it the third largest bilateral provider of humanitarian aid to the country.
Source and Original Content by Premier Christian Radio