A flare-up of violence in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), on 7 February left a pastor dead and his church demolished.
According to the UN, at least three people were killed and 26 injured, including civilians and combatants.
Meanwhile, various outbreaks of infighting between Muslim factions has caused thousands of Christians to flee their homes in the north of the country.
Pastor Jean-Paul Sankagui (see picture) of the Eglise du Christ en Centrafrique (ECC) was killed by supporters of local militia leader Youssouf Sy (also called the ‘Big Man’) at his home in the PK5 neighbourhood, following a military operation there by the CAR army and UN peacekeeping forces.
The stated aim of the operation was to interrogate Sy, but he was killed, together with an associate. The President of the ECC, Jean Noel Ndanguere, told World Watch Monitor that in retaliation, Sy’s supporters went on the rampage, injuring and killing people, and destroying property. Mr Sankagui’s church was set on fire, as was the Apostolic and St Mathias Church.
