AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICA – The Bishop of Bossangoa: "The Muslim population of Bangui is held hostage by jihadists "

Bangui (Agenzia Fides) - The Muslim population of "Km 5" in Bangui is taken hostage by jihadist members that have infiltrated the capital of the Republic of Central Africa: this was reported to Fides Agency by His Exc. Mgr. Nestor Désiré Nongo-Aziagbia, Bishop of Bossangoa. "No one wants to talk about it, but it is a reality. Two days ago, the jihadists clashed with the French troops deployed in the Bangui Sangaris operation. The Muslim population in Bangui, is taken hostage by jihadists. It is public knowledge that the Central Mosque of the city has become a powder keg, because the extremists have transformed it in their arsenal", said Mgr. Nongo-Aziagbia.
"The jihadists come from other countries, particularly from Sudan and Chad and are supported by general Nouredine Adam, the number two of Seleka rebel coalition". The area most affected by the violence committed by Seleka occurs in the diocese of Bossangoa.
"There is a situation of total chaos in my diocese", said Mgr. Nongo-Aziagbia, who on Easter eve had been seized by members of Seleka, while one of his priests had been killed on Good Friday (see Fides 24/04/2014). "The rebels continue to kill and plunder. Last weekend in a village on the border with Chad, 4 people were killed, among them 2 catechists. In Nanga Boguila the Doctor Sans Frontiers hospital was attacked, killing 16 people who were in a meeting (according to agency sources the victims are at least 22, ed.). We are waiting for further details on this and other episodes of violence that occurred in other areas of the diocese", concluded the Bishop. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 28/04/2014)