Life under siege in Central African Republic is causing Muslim children in this war-torn country to go hungry. Bloodshed and repeated attacks have left all Muslims huddling in one district of this former diamond town. They are learning to live without food and security. Adou Kone, a local resident, said: "Everything is blocked, nothing comes in. It's very expensive to buy food. Our life is at a critical stage. It seems like we live in a prison, we don't have freedom, it's not freedom, or it's a freedom under surveillance. We don't understand it." They are encircled by the anti-Balalaka,  a Christian militia that vows to kill muslims that step outside the perimeter.

 Anti-Balaka militia chief in Boda, Captain Dopani Firmin said: "We can wait for 10 years for them to leave, and if they don't leave, we will still be there, holding our positions. We cannot accept to live together with Muslims long term."

While French and African Union forces have helped reduce the violence, hardship is still rampant. The UN says the country is being ripped apart by a conflict that gets little attention, or aid, needed to save huge numbers of lives. -(ANA)

AB/ANA/ 18 April 2014  - - -