La Baraka pour les Centrafricains par le Président Barack Obama : " Mbi bala ala kouè ". President Obama's Message to the People of the Central African Republic
In
recent weeks, government affiliated armed groups and independent “self-defense”
militias have committed shocking and horrific atrocities against innocent
civilians in the
In
an audio message taped in Dakar, Senegal, today, President Obama sent a clear
and important message to the people of the Central African Republic: that they
should reject the violence currently threatening their country, and move
together toward a future of security, dignity, and peace.
Transcript:
Mbi
bala ala kouè. This is President Barack Obama, and today I want to speak
directly to you—the people of the
I
know that in your lives you have faced great hardship. But I also know
that you’ve lived together in peace—as diverse and vibrant communities,
Christian and Muslim. Together, you celebrate a proud history and a land
of extraordinary beauty. Together, you emerged from colonialism and
achieved independence. Together, you realize that we are all children of
God and that—whatever our faith—we all deserve to live in peace and
dignity.
But
the awful violence of recent days threatens the country you love. Innocent
men, women and children have been killed. Families have fled their homes.
And we know from the bitter experience of other countries what happens
when societies descend into violence and retribution. Today, my message to
you is simple: it doesn’t have to be this way. You—the proud citizens of
the
Respected
leaders in your communities—Muslim and Christian—are calling for calm and peace.
I call on the transitional government to join these voices and to arrest
those who are committing crimes. Individuals who are engaging in violence
must be held accountable—in accordance with the law. Meanwhile, as forces
from other African countries and
Most
of all, every citizen of the
That
is how we honor our faiths. That is how reconciliation occurs.
That’s how the
Singuila.