The Central African Republic has suffered five coups and numerous rebellions since declaring independence from France in 1960. This, along with conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan and of Chad has continuously reduced the foundations of the Central African Republic to pulp. The most recent conflict in the Central African Republic has not received much media attention, but the ethno-political force of this crisis has become increasingly prevalent over the past year. Is religion the root of the problem? After extensive research conducted by the International Organization for Migration, Patheos and CNN.com, I will provide an argument for the idea that religious factions are only part of the problem at hand. First, I will discuss the religious tensions in the state. Secondly, I will discuss the misdiagnosis of this conflict as genocide, and thirdly, I will conclude with my opinions and estimates. The conflict began in March 2013, when the Central African Republic's Muslim rebel group, also known as Seleka, took over government. Seleka's 10-month reign has allowed mass looting, murder and extortion since taking power last year. These crimes attracted many angry Muslims from the south, despite the presence of peacekeepers. When Seleka was forced to relinquish power under international pressure last January, Christian or "anti-Balaka" militias began analytically pushing Muslims from the southern regions. Thousands of Muslims in the Central African Republic risk being killed despite the presence of international mercenaries. What seemed to be an ongoing mass murder of thousands of people last winter has finally stopped for now, but the inter-societal tensions are still brutally terrifying. Murder, rape and other methods of… middle of paper… this violence appears to be predominantly political and sectarian and makes use of existing religious differences and rhetoric. What is happening in the Central African Republic is neither a jihad nor a crusade. It is rather a struggle for political power with Bangui as the prize. Works Cited Black, Sandra. Fewer Bangui IDPs plan to return home: IOM CAR survey on return intentions. May 6, 2014. May 7, 2014 .Muslims versus Christians in the Central African Republic? February 11, 2014. May 5, 2014 .Watkins, Tom. Humanitarian groups: Don't let the Central African Republic turn into genocide. May 1, 2014. May 5 2014 .