Bringing hope through faith
In December 2012, a violent coup caused a flare in ethnic and religious violence in the Central African Republic. Almost three years later, 2.8 million people - over half of the total population of 4.6 million - have been affected by the conflict, and almost 1 million people have fled their homes, either for refugee camps in neighbouring countries, or seeking safety in nearby villages and towns. Amid the conflict and chaos however, World Vision and local faith leaders are bringing small kernels of hope.
A few of our humanitarian staff recently visited our projects there, and came back with uplifting stories of religious leaders uniting to protect their communities. In a country where leaders on all sides have used religion as a means to divide people, Muslim and Christian leaders are working together in the small town of Yaloke, which is around 250 kilometres northwest of the capital Bangui, to begin the process of peace.
Last spring, another flare up of violence in the country sent a small group of 300 Fulani (a Muslim ethnic group) fleeing. They eventually sought refuge at the UN compound in Yaloke, where they were offered protection from the hostile communities surrounding them.
“My first destination wasn’t Yaloke," remembers one of the Fulani leaders. "We were running, but the chief of the anti-Balaka (the local Christian defence group) told us that he could protect us, so we stayed. We lost our cows, but at least we saved our lives.”
After the arrival of the Fulani, local Christian leaders began to reach out in an effort to end the killings in their community. They planned days of joint prayer between the Christian and Muslim communities, and at the peak of the crisis, hid Christians and Muslims together in a school to protect them.
Pastor Francis, one of the coordinators of the interfaith platform in the area, is committed to stopping the religious unrest that has been exploited in the recent conflict.
“This crisis isn’t about religion - it was always about politics,” he explains. “People have killed for different reasons, but there are ways to reconcile people. We are trying to work with leaders to not exploit faith for selfish objectives.”
Progress has been difficult, but there have been some achievements - albeit with trepidation. Fulani now venture outside of the protections of their camp from time to time, and organised killings in Yaloke have stopped. Interfaith cooperation is slowly transforming an atmosphere of terror, violence, and chaos into one of tentative peace.
As well as supporting interfaith cooperation, we have also been able to open a Child Friendly Space in Yaloke, where both Christian and Muslim children can have a safe place to play. Edward, one of our staff members, explained how big an achievement it was, just to have children, who don’t look any different from one another, playing together in the loud play area.
“Children who come from groups who have been fighting, play together here. The issues are never between children. If you go to our Child Friendly Space, you will see Fulani’s and members of the Christian community playing together. The problems are with the adults.”
15-year-old Babylone is one of the many children who has recovered a bit of normality at the space.
“I like to come here to be with my friends - this place is that for me. I like volleyball. I feel safe here.”
World Vision is continuing to support the interfaith work in Yaloke, as well as helping the Fulani move to a new temporary camp, and support basic needs with things like toilets, food, healthcare and education. In the Central African Republic as a whole, we have reached over 150,000 people, including 120,000 children who needed emergency food. You can help support the work by donating here.