BANGUI
Newly-installed chief of staff of the predominantly Muslim seleka militia in the Central African Republic (CAR) Joseph Zindeko said that he aims to unite all loose forces of the former rebels under one banner and convert them into a "defensive force."
In an interview with Anadolu Agency – his first with an international news agency since being picked up by a seleka congress to be the militia's army chief earlier this month, Zindeko said that he is determined to form a "force that defends the values of the Republic."
"We will consolidate all elements and put an end to irregularities. Our mission is only defensive. We have no plans whatsoever to go on the offensive towards the west," he added in the interview that would be published in full later.
He went on to say that after the unification of the seleka forces under one banner, President Catherine Samba-Panza "can always summon the force," although it has no relation with the presidency.
Zindeko also asserted that his force would be independent from the army, citing its formation that is "dominated by [rival] anti-balaka militiamen lately."
Yet, he did not rule out the integration of his forces into the army "via dialogue, reconciliation and negotiation."
Established in August 2012, the seleka militia was drawn from rebel forces opposed to then-president Francois Bozize, a Christian.
The militia managed to remove Bozize from office and install Michel Djotodia, a Muslim, in power one year later. The latter, however, under pressure, resigned earlier this year, to be succeeded by Samba-Panza, a Christian.
Yet, anti-Muslim violence has escalated since January, when Samba-Panza took over earlier this year.
Since last December, thousands, mostly Muslims, have been killed in sectarian bloodletting throughout the country.
The violence has been blamed on the Christian anti-balaka militia, which accuses Muslims of supporting former seleka rebels blamed for attacking Christian homes, looting property and carrying out summary executions.
According to the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR), more than 173,000 people have been internally displaced by the violence, while another 37,000 have fled the county.
By Thierry Bresillon
englishnews@aa.com.tr
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