Posted on 12/10/2013 12:05:42 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
President Obama on Monday urged the citizens of the Central African Republic to “choose a different path” amid the latest round of sectarian violence gripping the nation.
“We know from the bitter experience of other countries what happens when societies descend into violence and retribution,” Obama said in an audio message taped as Air Force One refueled in Dakar, Senegal. “Today, my message to you is simple: it doesn’t have to be this way.”
Fighting between Christians and Muslims has lead to more than 400 deaths over the past two days, according to the Associated Press.
Obama noted that religious leaders from both sides have called “for calm and peace.”
“Every citizen of the Central African Republic can show the courage that’s needed right now,” Obama said. “You can show your love for your country by rejecting the violence that would tear it apart. You can choose peace.”
Earlier Monday, Defense Secretary Chick Hagel ordered the U.S. military to help transport international troops to the country in a bid to quell the violence.
This spring, an alliance of rebel forces seized power, installing president Michel Djotodia. The mostly Muslim fighters carried out a months-long rampage of looting, raping, and killing, according to the Associated Press.
Christian militias have now launched a counteroffensive against Djotodia, leading to more bloodshed. Last week, the United Nations Security Council voted to intervene and restore order within the country.
Obama called on Djotodia’s government to arrest those who are committing crimes.
“Individuals who are engaging in violence must be held accountable—in accordance with the law,” Obama said.
The president’s stop in Senegal came as he travelled to South Africa for the Nelson Mandela memorial service. He was joined aboard Air Force One by first lady Michelle Obama, former President George W. Bush, his wife Laura, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
There is one indisputable fact.
The muslims won’t give up.
They may wait a week, or a month. Or a year, or a decade.
But they won’t give up. Their faith is more important than your life.
Their faith is more important than your life
And their faith is more important than *their* lives.
Obama continually gives an edge to anti-Christian, anti-American groups/countries.
Obama has no credibility with anyone anymore. His blather will be ignored. He’s totally irrelevant to the people who are fighting for their lives, families, and homes.
"They are slaughtering us like chickens,"
Christian Militancy [Catholic]
Yes, it’s funny while the Muslims were killing he said nothing, when Christians fight back he calls for peace.
Nothing has changed since they began their rampage to "Kill all the Christians and Jews".
Muslim terrorists took over the country by force, and Obama calls on these Muslim terrorists to arrest the Christians who are trying to take back their country. This is definitely a change from previous administrations, just like he promised. Mmm mm mm.
Without a doubt, he’s on their side.
Bush
What a joke
Do these GOPe types stand for anything
I’m disappointed the Bushes flew with the Obamas on Air Force One. After the raft of garbage from Obama about Bush, the Bushes should have gone separately. This really is appalling. It reminds me of Chris Christie hugging on Obama after Hurricane Sandy just before the election.
Yep
It was the diplomatic thing to do.
Even though the image of Mandela is not what the man is or was. How is the average black South African doing now?
The ANC leaders are filthy rich and stealing more very day.
It seems like one of those things there is no way out of. A true Kabuki dance if there ever was one. Bush cares about Africa but certainly didn’t want to be playing kissy with Obama on Air Force One, and quite possibly didn’t wholeheartedly approve of Mandela. But just envision the alternative. Impossible. He had to go.
I know I’m biased when it come to W, but perhaps this is OK. Not at all like Christie.
Not a peep out of him until the Christians start fighting back. Interesting.
I wanted to give them that pass too (they work for African causes - it looks diplomatic... respect from united U.S. political parties, and all that) but that could have been accomplished w/o the Bushes flying over with the Obamas.
The one-way violence with Muslims murdering Christians was freedom of religion, the only form of that right that Obama permits. Now that the violence is two-way, it’s violence, and Obama objects.
CAR ping.
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