The rebel who for the moment is President of the Central African Republic says he has no control over the “Seleka” alliance of militias who helped him into power.  Those militias are accused of killing scores of civilians in the chaos following the coup.

President Michel Djotodia says, “You could bring an angel from the sky to govern this country and there would still be problems” in the Central African Republic (CAR). 

Muslim fighters from the former Seleka alliance are accused of attacking a hospital in the capital Bangui, pulling out at least nine wounded young men who were accused of being part of a Christian militia, and killing them.  Foreign NGO and shocked hospital workers would only relay the tale on condition of anonymity.  The Christian militias are loyal to former President Francois Bozize, who the Seleka deposed from office in March.

But Muslims only make up about 15 percent of the CAR’s population, and now there have been reprisals against Muslim civilians for the actions of the former Seleka.  It’s a marked change from March when religion played little role in the coup.

Trying to restore the peace in this mess are 1,600 French troops who appear to have a lot of civilian support as they attempt to disarm the various factions causing death and chaos in the country.  They’re backed by what will be 6,000 troops from countries in the African Union.