As further fighting in the Central African Republic (CAR) sparks fears of genocide, it’s emerged that more than 6,000 child soldiers may now be involved in the conflict. <br /><br />Their numbers are growing as clashes between Muslim and Christian communities take on increasingly sectarian overtones.<br /><br />More than 20 children aged between 14 and 17 were released from armed groups in the capital Bangui to a UNICEF-supported Transit and Orientation Centre, with more to follow.<br /><br />A spokesperson for the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) explained: “Some of these children were in armed groups for a year, some for two years, some for less and they have been separated from their parents since. UNICEF is working towards reuniting these children with their families.”<br /><br />Meanwhile, peace keepers from Rwanda flew into Bangui to oversee the selection of a transitional leader set to take place on Monday.<br /><br />This follows the resignation of the country’s first Muslim president Michel Djotodia amid the violence between Muslim and Christian militia that has displaced over a million people.<br /><br />The aid from the Rwandans is particularly significant: The international community wants to prevent the Central African Republic from becoming a repeat of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.<br /><br />The former French colony descended into chaos after a mostly Muslim rebel coalition, Seleka, seized power in March, unleashing a wave of killings and looting that sparked revenge attacks by a Christian “anti-balaka” militia.
