New Documentary Film “a true representation of the situation in CAR”: Cardinal

The Archbishop of Bangui continued in reference to parties in conflict in CAR, “They must allow for peaceful coexistence and living together, helping everyone to accept differences and respect each other.”

The new documentary film, the Cardinal told ACI Africa September 9, “is a true representation of the situation in CAR. In the film we find children who can’t go to school, women who can’t go to farm because of insecurity. We even find a doctor crying for help after rebels destroyed a hospital.”

“This film also Xrays other challenges we are facing like inequality, illegal exploitation of resources, arms trade, corruption, bad governance amongst others,” he said.

Since gaining independence in 1960, CAR has experienced years of violent conflicts. In 2012, the largely Muslim alliance, Seleka, launched an attack against the government leading to counter-attacks by anti-Balaka coalitions of Christian fighters.

The two rebel groups, which control vast regions of the country, faced off again in March 2013 when fighters allied to Seleka seized the country’s capital, Bangui, and staged a coup, a move that was countered by anti-Balaka militias. 

The back-and-forth revenge attacks between the two religion-aligned groups backed by other militias introduced a religious angle that was previously absent in the crisis.

Late Imam Omar Kobine Lamaya was one of the co-founders of the Platform of Religions of CAR (PCRC), which, since 2012, has brought together Catholic and Protestant churches, as well as the Muslim community he represented.

In founding PCRC, Cardinal Nzapalainga represented the Catholic Church and Pastor Nicolas Guerekoyame-Gbangou, the Evangelical Alliance.

In the September 9 interview with ACI Africa, Cardinal Nzapalainga recalled, “When we founded the dialogue platform with the imam and the pastor, our aim was not to discuss dogma or theology, but to knock on the door of the conscience of our faithful to say that violence is not an option.”

The member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans) emphasized that the commitment of religious leaders is to “invite our people not to fall into the trap of thinking that Christians and Muslims are enemies. We are united as one body and we must sustain this unity with our fellow brothers and sisters irrespective of tribe, race, color, or religion.”

“Christians and Muslims who are sons and daughters of the same God and created in his image can journey together to bring back the much-needed peace,” Cardinal Nzapalainga told ACI Africa, and added, “It is possible for us to build bridges of unity, love and reconciliation.”

In May, the Cardinal continued to advocate for peace in the African nation in a new book.

Published under the title, “Je suis venu vous apporter la Paix” (I come to bring you peace), the Cardinal reflects on his life as a Spiritan, as the Local Ordinary of Bangui, as a Cardinal, and as a peacemaker.

In the book that also recounts Pope Francis’ visit to CAR in 2015, the Cardinal who hosted the Holy Father reflects on the challenges and opportunities in CAR.

In the September 9 interview with ACI Africa, Cardinal Nzapalainga cautions young people in CAR against losing hope amid numerous challenges in their country.

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“Let nobody manipulate you; let no one steal your future. Affirm your commitment in working to consolidate peace in our country. Dream of a future of Central Africans living together in unity and love,” the Cardinal said, addressing himself to the youth in CAR.

He added, “Our role is to stand by everyone: armed groups, militias, government, civil society. As a 'father', I can have several children, some of whom may go astray.”

“Among them, there is that lost child and the father who welcomes him, with a heart of mercy, the son who has taken up arms, who is called a killer, a jihadist,” Cardinal Nzapalainga said.

Whatever the situation might be, the Archbishop of Bangui reiterated, hope must be sustained.

"I must continue to be a watchdog; something may change, there may be radical transformations, real conversions,” he said, underscoring the need to sustain hope amid challenges.

Also speaking to ACI Africa, the Deputy Secretary General of the Higher Islamic Council of the Central African Republic, Imam Abdoulaye Ouasselegue, said the new documentary film is an advocacy tool for peace and reconciliation in CAR.

“This film shows to the whole world the sufferings of the people of CAR. It should touch those who watch to take measures to help our people,” Imam Ouasselegue told ACI Africa September 9.

The Muslim leader acknowledged with appreciation the efforts of the film producer and invited the people of God in CAR to make an examination of conscience to see the role each one can play to end suffering in the African nation.