Situation Gets Worse In Central African Republic

This is according to the UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay.

Statistics show that 20% of the population- about a million people have fled their homes in the months since the religious conflicts that now rock the country began.

Terming it a matter of urgency, Pillay called upon the international community to strengthen peacekeeping efforts, as many lives are at stake.

France, the former colonial power of the country, has sent 1,600 troops in CAR, working with other 4,000 from African countries.

The new interim president Catherine Samba-Panza however said that this was not enough, as the conflict between Muslims and Christians in the country- with extreme revenge actions continue to escalate.

Catherine Samba-Panza was sworn in a week ago by the interim parliament after the former president Michel Djotodia resigned.

Djotodia, CAR's first Muslim leader, seized power last year, a move that plunged the Central African Republic into conflict between the Christian majority and Muslim minority.

He later resigned at a regional summit aimed at ending violence in the country.

Catherine Samba-Panza- a former businesswoman seen to be politically neutral, was found an acceptable choice by both sides for the position.

The heat of the conflict is yet to go down, with fresh fears of famine now feared to hit the country.

By Diana Kariuki

Source: BBC News