The Christian majority and Muslim minority always lived in harmony until March 2013 when Seleka leader Michel Djotodia seized power after his forces overran the capital, Bangui.
Michel Djotodia became the first Muslim to rule CAR, installing himself as interim president and forming a transitional government that he says will organise democratic elections
Michel Djotodia
- Civil servant in the government of Ange-Felix Patasse, overthrown by Francois Bozize in 2003.
- Appointed by Mr Bozize to a diplomatic post in Sudan
- Fell out with Mr Bozize and launched a rebellion in 2005
- Arrested a year later in Benin, where he was exiled
- Released after promising to make peace with Mr Bozize, but re-launched rebellion
- Appointed defence minister in January 2013 under peace deal
- Quits government in March 2013 and seizes power
The Christians accuse the Seleka of looting, raping and killing without restraint after their leader, Michel Djotodia, came to power in March 2013.
Most people are terrified as lawlessness has overtaken the country, which is bigger than Spain and Portugal combined.
Armed men from rival groups trawl many areas looting, killing, burning crops and homes. Many villages are empty, with people either hiding in fields or in the bush.
Some 935,000 people, 20% of the 4.6 million population, have fled their homes.
The UN has warned that the Central African Republic is heading toward a humanitarian disaster, as people fleeing conflict between Muslim and Christian militias pack into overcrowded camps with poor sanitation.
The African Union(AU) has taken over command of the peacekeeping operation, with 4,000 soldiers now on the ground.
France, with UN approval, has also deployed 1,600 troops to try to end the violence, but fighting has continued, with more than 1,000 killed in clashes since December.
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