Pope urges Central Africans to overcome divisions, hostility

BANGUI, Central African Republic

Pope Francis visited a mosque in the Central African Republic Monday, calling on Muslims and Christians to overcome their divisions and instead focus on the upcoming elections in December.

The pontiff made the comments during his visit to PK5, a Muslim district in capital Bangui, where he also visited a central mosque. Imam Tidjani Moussa Naibi and Bala Dodo, mayor of the third arrondissement, welcomed the pope at the mosque.

"The Central African crisis is at the base of an inter-religious crisis… The people of Central African Republic, both Christians and Muslims, have a tradition of peaceful coexistence. It should be preserved," the pope said in Italian, a speech that was simultaneously translated into Sango, a local language.

"By perpetuating this tradition, Central Africans can even be a model for other African countries. They must regroup, get up hand-in-hand to overcome division, hatred, violence and dedicate themselves for the coming elections," he said.

He also urged the people to vote for someone who truly served their interests. "We should not elect a head of state that serves the interests of a community at the expense of another," he warned.

Thousands of Central Africans both Christians and Muslims flocked the streets of Bangui to see the pontiff. Thousands of Christians also arrived in Bangui from neighboring countries, including Chad and Cameroon, to see their revered leader.

"I am full of joy to see the pope in PK5," Yasser Mahamat, a Muslim resident, told Anadolu Agency.

"The pope's visit is a trigger that will bring peace between Christians and Muslims in the Central African Republic," Babikir, a Muslim man in PK5, told Anadolu Agency.

Pope Francis arrived in Central African Republic as part of an African tour that started Wednesday in Kenya and Uganda.

"I come to the Central African Republic as a pilgrim of peace and as an apostle of hope," he tweeted Sunday after his arrival.

Later on Monday, the pontiff concluded his visit to Africa and left for the Vatican City.

Security situation in the Central African Republic has deteriorated sharply since September, after months of uneasy calm. Renewed violence is the result of inter-communal clashes between two armed groups, Seleka, a predominantly Muslim group and anti-Balaka, a predominantly Christian group.

In May this year, following months of deadly violence, both groups agreed to lay down their arms. However, fresh violence erupted last month.

Peacekeepers and members of the French military have been deployed to guard the head of the world’s estimated one billion Catholics.

Muslims accounts for approximately 15 percent of the republic's 4.6 million people. Christians account for 80 percent of people.