Thousands of Muslims Protest French Operations in C. Africa
Several thousand Muslim supporters of the Central African Republic's former rebel group Seleka protested Sunday against French troops conducting a disarmament operation.
The demonstration in the capital Bangui marked the most significant show of hostility towards France since it deployed troops on December 5 to end the chaos that followed Seleka's coup in March.
The protest swelled after some Muslim residents said three ex-Seleka fighters were killed in clashes with French troops. French officials have not confirmed that information.
An Agence France Presse journalist said the demonstrators marched from the city centre to the Muslim neighborhood of PK5 before dispersing peacefully.
France has deployed 1,600 soldiers to its former colony to bolster an African force MISCA, which had been struggling to cope with an outbreak of Christian-Muslim violence.
Reports of the three fighters' death Sunday had sparked a smaller, earlier protest which soldiers from MISCA's Congolese contingent broke up with tear gas, witnesses said.
The country's new leader, Michel Djotodia, has disbanded the Seleka rebel coalition that brought him to power nine months ago but some members have gone rogue.
Months of killing, raping and pillaging had caused growing international concern of a major humanitarian crisis and prompted Christians to form vigilantes.
The French intervention has been largely welcomed by the Christian majority but many Muslims argue operations against the remnants of Seleka have left them exposed to reprisals.
Vigilante groups and mobs have attacked Muslim residents and ransacked Muslim-owned shops in recent days, despite efforts by political and religious leaders to defuse sectarian tensions.
Djotodia, Central Africa's first Muslim leader, urged all armed groups to lay down their arms and avert an escalation.
"I reiterate my entire availability to discuss with all those who have taken up arms, rightly or wrongly, so that we will finally all be disarmed without exception," he said.
Djotodia, who is supposed to step aside at the end of next year following elections, said: "Let us now transform our machetes, guns and other arms into ballots."
11 years
Michael I think this is why,
Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace but a sword.
Matthew 10:34
11 years
I'm only being fair and unbiased,
Ezekiel 3:20 - Again, When a righteous [man] doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand
11 years
Thanks kalzyturk. If christians would actually read the bible and learn the history of how christianity spread, then they would NEVER again dare to say such nonsence about islam and muslims.
11 years
i can't give u a green thumb 4 ur comment. Christian Spain did far worse to pre colombian america in the name of christianity, they exterminated various civilizations.
11 years
Primesuspect it's ok
I came to bring fire to the earth and how I wish it were already kindled! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.Luke 12:49-51
11 years
Your welcome gabby you 14 year old,
Now who oppresses their women
“I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.” (1 Timothy 2:12)
11 years
Gabby you 14 year old let's be fair here shall we
2 Chronicles 15:13
But that whoever would not seek the Lord, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman
11 years
Gabby you must be turning 15 soon yes?
I'm being very unbiased here
Deuteronomy 13:6-11
“If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son or your daughter or the wife you embrace or your friend who is as your own soul entices you secretly, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’ which neither you nor your fathers have known, some of the gods of the peoples who are around you, whether near you or far off from you, from the one end of the earth to the other, you shall not yield to him or listen to him, nor shall your eye pity him, nor shall you spare him, nor shall you conceal him. But you shall kill him. Your hand shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people. You shall stone him to death with stones, because he sought to draw you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery
11 years
Gabby ignorant, our book the quran which was sent down for all of mankind does NOT have a death sentence for leaving islam!! By the way, you too are obligated to follow the quran. Christ was not sent to you, he was only sent to the lost tribes of israel who had gone astray. Muhammad is the final messenger and prophet and he was sent to all mankind. So on the day of judgement you will have to answer for your ignorance and refusal to submit to God. I invite you to learn about islam.
One God who has no son nor wife nor daughter nor any partner whatsoever.
Christ was the messiah and a prophet, not Son of God or part of trinity. He was only sent to the israelites of that time as confirmed in the bible.
Muhammad was the final prophet and messenger sent to mankind.
The quran was the last divine book sent to mankind and has been preserved word by word ever since it was revealed to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel.
Don't be stubborn Gabby.
11 years
Www.answering-christianity.com
Enter, read and learn, defeat satan.
Gabby 14 you must mean christianity, and Refer to the countless wars undertaken by christian countries from e.g. Europe and the USA, before the crusades and after. Btw. try to read the old and new testament, then you will find a recipee for real terror.