Most Muslims pushed out of homes in west CAR: UN

Most Muslims have been pushed out of the western side of the conflict-ridden Central African Republic (CAR) by ongoing violence, the United Nations refugee agency says.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) made the announcement on Tuesday when a commission of inquiry set up by the UN Security Council was about to begin investigations into human rights violations in the country.

“We are hated by the Central African Christian people who don’t want Muslims here. They think Muslims are not Central African so we are forced to leave because we don’t have any protection, whether it is from the authorities, the international forces or the African ones, no one has protected us. When one is trying to help a Muslim, he is targeted by the Christian population saying he’s segregating,” said a CAR Muslim.

According to the UN, more than 950,000 people have been displaced and thousands more killed by violence in the country.

The atrocities take place despite the intervention of French troops in the former colony.

On December 5, 2013, France invaded the CAR after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution giving the African Union and France the go-ahead to send troops to the country.

Many believe the French troops, known as the Sangaris, turn a blind eye to Christian militia, an accusation Paris rejects.

There are many mineral resources, including gold and diamond, in the Central African Republic. However, the country is extremely poor and has faced a series of rebellions and coups since it gained independence in 1960.