VOA标准英语2014--Muslims Remain Trapped in C.A.R. Town 被困中非共的穆斯林

 

Muslims Remain Trapped in C.A.R. Town 被困中非共的穆斯林

BODA, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC — In western Central African Republic, entire towns have been emptied of Muslims. Some have been killed, while thousands of others have fled the anti-balaka militia¹ who attacked them earlier this year as Muslim Seleka rebels withdrew to the northeast. In the southwestern town of Boda, thousands of Muslims are trapped as international troops struggle to keep a lid on tensions.

There is an invisible wall now dividing the town of Boda. One Muslim man was shot when he ventured across it two days ago.

On one side is the town's Muslim population. On the other is the Christian² population, including the mostly Christian anti-balaka militia.

Increased violence, failed talks

Each side says the other started the fighting. It began January 29 after the Muslim Seleka rebels left town. Dialogue has failed.

Violence only eased when French troops established this border.

They call it the "red line." Only it's not really a line. It's a circle surrounded by anti-balaka. Boda's mayor, Mahamat Awal, a Muslim, draws a map.

"This goes to Bangui. We can't cross this bridge. And we can't go here. We stay only in this district," he said.

Pervasive³ hunger 

Hunger is the top concern. Muslims can't get to the market. They say the anti-balaka won't let Christian merchants come and sell food to them.

"No medicine, no security, said Boda resident Mahamat Kamiss Abouda. "The anti-balaka, they are killing⁴. There is no food. Every day, every day, it's to the cemetery⁵. Every day we need fabric⁶ to wrap bodies."

Clashes continue in the bush. Muslims have been fleeing into town. Another man said he walked 40 kilometers after being the sole survivor⁷ of an anti-balaka attack that killed 20 people, including his two wives and five children.

African Union peacekeepers from the Republic of Congo deployed⁸ to Boda at the end of March.

Their commander, Captain Ghislaine Singui, called a meeting on the Christian side. He said his orders are to keep the peace. "Those who hurt the population, I will hunt them even if they go into the bush. I have the men and the equipment for that."

The chief of the anti-balaka in Boda, Dopani Firmin, has a simple message. "The Muslims must go. That is the only solution," he said.

Locals get up to talk. They thank the anti-balaka and they repeat, "The Muslims must go."

Back in the Muslim neighborhood, some see economic reasons for this surge of resentment⁹. Muslims control much of the commerce in Boda, including the gold and diamond trade.

 

Some worry their homes and businesses will be destroyed if they leave. Still, many say they'd go if they could.

1 militia   

n.民兵，民兵组织

参考例句：

• First came the PLA men,then the people's militia.人民解放军走在前面，其次是民兵。
• There's a building guarded by the local militia at the corner of the street.街道拐角处有一幢由当地民兵团守卫的大楼。

2 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

3 pervasive   

adj.普遍的；遍布的，(到处)弥漫的；渗透性的

参考例句：

• It is the most pervasive compound on earth.它是地球上最普遍的化合物。
• The adverse health effects of car exhaust are pervasive and difficult to measure.汽车尾气对人类健康所构成的有害影响是普遍的，并且难以估算。

4 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

5 cemetery   

n.坟墓，墓地，坟场

参考例句：

• He was buried in the cemetery.他被葬在公墓。
• His remains were interred in the cemetery.他的遗体葬在墓地。

6 fabric   

n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织

参考例句：

• The fabric will spot easily.这种织品很容易玷污。
• I don't like the pattern on the fabric.我不喜欢那块布料上的图案。

7 survivor   

n.生存者，残存者，幸存者

参考例句：

• The sole survivor of the crash was an infant.这次撞车的惟一幸存者是一个婴儿。
• There was only one survivor of the plane crash.这次飞机失事中只有一名幸存者。

8 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

9 resentment   

n.怨愤，忿恨

参考例句：

• All her feelings of resentment just came pouring out.她一股脑儿倾吐出所有的怨恨。
• She cherished a deep resentment under the rose towards her employer.她暗中对她的雇主怀恨在心。