Amid the Violence: Central African Republic's Looted Storefronts

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Central African Republic has been wracked by inter-communal violence since Muslim Séléka militias seized power after ousting President François Bozizé in March 2013. Clashes between the Séléka forces and Christian vigilante anti-balaka (or “anti-machete”) factions continue as French and African Union forces struggle to contain the bloodshed.

Jerome Delay’s images of looted Muslim-owned stores in Bangui, the country’s capital, provide an unsettlingly quiet look at the results of the ongoing conflict. The photographs show stores on the avenue leading to the PK5 neighborhood of the city — all of which have been looted over the past two days.

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Jerome Delay is the Africa Chief Photographer of the Associated Press. He previously wrote for LightBox about Mali’s invisible war.

Richard Conway is Reporter/Producer for TIME LightBox. Follow him on twitter @RichardJConway


Central African Republic
The following photos were taken Feb. 4, 2014 in Bangui, Central African Republic: A Muslim-owned fish shop stands looted in the Miskin district of Bangui.Jerome Delay—AP
A Muslim-owned copy center stands looted in the Miskin district of Bangui. Jerome Delay—AP
Central African Republic
A Muslim-owned computer shop stands looted in the Miskin district of Bangui.Jerome Delay—AP
Central African Republic
A Muslim-owned auto shop stands looted in the Miskin district of Bangui.Jerome Delay—AP
Central African Republic
A Muslim-owned hair salon stands looted in the Miskin district of Bangui.Jerome Delay—AP
Central African Republic
A Muslim-owned satellite television shop stands looted in the Miskin district of Bangui.Jerome Delay—AP
Central African Republic
A Muslim-owned poultry shop stands looted in the Miskin district of Bangui.Jerome Delay—AP

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