BANGUI
By Hassan Isilow
Several ex-seleka fighters have surrendered to the African peacekeeping forces (MISCA) in Bangui, the capital of the troubled Central African Republic (CAR), fearing the anti-balaka Christian militia that has reportedly gone on a Muslim killing spree.
"Many ex-seleka fighters came to our camp in Mpoko near the airport and surrendered their weapons," MISCA spokesman Sandou Jean Pierre told Anadolu Agency.
He said some of the former fighters had asked for protection and were being kept at the MISCA base in camp Mpoko, which serves as the headquarters of the 4000-strong African peacekeepers.
"Ex-seleka fighters in other camps have also surrendered their weapons and are now living in camp Beal," said the spokesman, declining to reveal their numbers or what will happen to them next.
CAR, a mineral-rich, landlocked country, descended into anarchy in March of last year when Seleka rebels – said to be mostly Muslim – ousted Francois Bozize, a Christian, who had come to power in a 2003 coup, and installed Michel Djotodia as interim president.
In January, Bangui Mayor Catherine Samba-Panza was sworn in as new interim president replacing Djotodia, the country's first Muslim president since its 1960 independence from France, who had stepped down under international and regional pressure.
Prior to Djotodia's resignation, there were 7,164 ex-seleka fighters residing in seven military bases in Bangui after being incorporated into the national army.
-Targeted -
MISCA spokesman Pierre said the African peacekeepers are trying to protect the Muslim community.
But terrorized Muslims and fleeing their homes in Bangui and across the country.
"President Djotodia let us down by accepting to resign," Mahat Abokor, a local resident now camping at the airport waiting for a flight to leave the country, told AA.
"He should have known that the Christians will kill us," he lamented.
Muslims have increasing been targeted since President Samba-Panza, a Christian, came to office.
In a recent report, Amnesty International said that more than 50 Muslims had been killed by Christian anti-balaka militias in two separate attacks northwest of Bangui.
The rights watchdog said that anti-balaka fighters had stopped a truck transporting people fleeing to Cameroon in the town of Boyali, some 130km northwest of the capital.
According to Amnesty, the militiamen then used machetes and knives to kill their captives – who included three women and three children – in the street outside a local mosque.
The second attack, the rights group said, occurred on January 16 in the town of Bossembele, some 30km north of Boyali, where 25 bodies were found inside a local mosque and another 18 were found strewn in nearby streets.
International humanitarian group Save the Children has earlier confirmed the murder of at least 23 Muslims, including three children, in an attack on a refugee convoy.
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