THE global community appears oblivious to the situation in the Central African Republic from where 20pc of the population has reportedly fled to neighbouring countries following widespread killings, rapes and looting. UN officials have warned that without international intervention, the situation can degenerate into genocide. Observers claim that the 1,600-strong French force and some African troops are unable to control the anarchy as frenzied mobs indulge in what the prosecutor for the International Criminal Court called “hundreds of killings, acts of rape and sexual slavery, destruction of property, pillaging, torture, forced displacement” and use of child soldiers. Entire villages have been burnt down and fields abandoned, raising fears of an acute food crisis. A Human Rights Watch official said children were being slaughtered in front of their parents. Nearly a million people, mostly Muslim, have fled to Chad and Cameroon.

The situation in the potentially rich African country has been volatile since Michel Djotodia, a Muslim, captured power in the predominantly Christian state by overthrowing president François Bozize in March last year, thus triggering communal violence. Under pressure from regional countries, Mr Djotodia resigned last month and went into exile, but his militia has continued to exist and is involved in battles with Christian partisans and other groups. Even though all communities have suffered, foreign NGOs say now it is primarily the Muslims who are bearing the brunt of mob fury. There is no doubt the 10-month rule by Muslim rebels, called Seleka, was characterised by great atrocities committed on other communities by the militia for perceived wrongs during Mr Bozize’s rule. Today, as Seleka soldiers withdraw from an area, Christian militants move in and wreak vengeance on the Muslim community. While the ICC prosecutor has begun exploring the possibilities of determining war crimes, it is unfortunate that the OIC has taken no notice of the situation.