The International Criminal Court has opened a formal probe into war crimes in the Central African Republic (CAR).<\/p>\n
ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said there had been “endless” instances of rape, murder, forced displacement, persecution and pillaging since 2012.<\/p>\n
She said both sides had committed atrocities in what has become a religious conflict between mainly Muslim rebels and Christian militias.<\/p>\n
Almost a quarter of the 4.6 million population have fled their homes.<\/p>\n
‘Child soldiers’<\/strong><\/p>\n The turmoil began in the run-up to the mainly Muslim Seleka rebel group seizing power in the majority Christian country in March last year.<\/p>\n Rebel leader Michel Djotodia resigned as president in January under intense diplomatic pressure but the killings continued.<\/p>\n Muslims had to flee revenge attacks from largely Christian militias, known as anti-balakas.<\/p>\n Last month, a power-sharing government was formed – but it has not eased tensions and the country has largely been split into a Muslim north and Christian south.<\/p>\n Ms Bensouda, who opened preliminary investigations in February, said her office had “scrupulously analysed relevant information from multiple reliable sources”.<\/p>\n Other war crimes and crimes against humanity included attacks against humanitarian missions and use of child soldiers, the prosecutor said.<\/p>\n