End war, Pope urges troubled CAR

Pope Francis blesses a child in a refugee camp on November 29, 2015 in Bangui. He said he was saddened by the endless infighting in the country and urged the international community to ensure the conflict that is based on religious differences is brought to an end. PHOTO | GIUSEPPE CACACE | AFP

What you need to know:

  • Ms Samba-Panza expressed hope that Pope Francis’s visit, an outcome of visits by a coalition of Christian and Muslim leaders to the Vatican last year, will bring the warring groups together and restore peace.
  • Hundreds of people ignored security threats and lined the main road from the airport to cheer the Pope with hopes that peace will be restored by his visit.

BANGUI, CENTRAL AFRICA REPUBLIC

Pope Francis Sunday asked warring camps in the Central African Republic to lay down their arms as he jetted into Bangui for the final leg of his African tour.

He said he was saddened by the endless infighting in the country and urged the international community to ensure the conflict that is based on religious differences is brought to an end.

Over 6,000 people have been killed since 2013.

“To all those who make the unjust use of weapons of this world, I make this appeal: lay down these instruments of death. Arm yourselves instead with righteousness, with love and mercy, the authentic guarantors of peace,” he said at the Presidential Palace where he was hosted by interim President Catherine Samba-Panza.

Ms Samba-Panza expressed hope that Pope Francis’s visit, an outcome of visits by a coalition of Christian and Muslim leaders to the Vatican last year, will bring the warring groups together and restore peace.
“I hope this visit by the Pope will mark the beginning of the peace process,” said Ms Samba-Panza.

There is clear evidence that the three-year conflict has taken a toll on the country, with an expansive camp of internally displaced persons neighbouring the runway at the airport.

Security was tight and UN peacekeepers took charge of the airport as the plane carrying the Pope landed at 10.05 am (12.05pm Kenyan time).

Hundreds of people ignored security threats and lined the main road from the airport to cheer the Pope with hopes that peace will be restored by his visit.

PREACH UNITY AND PEACE

The UN peacekeepers lined the road while others were atop dilapidated buildings to ensure the Pope is secured.

At the Presidential Palace, the Pope said he came with a message of peace and hope.

“I come to this land for the first time following my predecessor John Paul II. I come as a pilgrim of peace and an apostle of hope,” said the Pope, who also expressed hope that ongoing consultations will culminate in a solution to the conflict and end suffering.

He urged the UN, the United States of America and former colonial masters, France, to step up efforts and ensure peace returns to the CAR.

He urged: “I heartily encourage them to continue along the path of solidarity in the hope that their commitment will help in areas of reconciliation, disarmament, peace keeping, health care and cultivate sound administration at all levels.”

He later visited the refugee camp near the airport, where he urged world leaders to ensure peace returns to the CAR.

The Pope urged evangelical leaders to use their calling to preach hope and unity.