00:00In the Central African Republic, Muslims are slowly returning to Cebu, more than a decade after civil war forced many
00:07to flee.
00:08The town's rebuilt central mosque is once again filled with a call to prayer, a sign of hope for reconciliation
00:14and a return to normal life.
00:16Cebu was once home to a thriving Muslim community living alongside Christians.
00:22We are in a time of peace and living together.
00:25What we are preaching here is about living together, social cohesion and peace.
00:32All of us who have returned need peace.
00:36Coexistence was shattered in 2013 when Sileka rebels seized power and violence erupted between Muslim factions and Christians and animist
00:44militias, sending thousands into exile.
00:48We are pleased to see the Muslims returning because despite our differences, we continue to live together.
00:54We have forgiven everything.
00:56We are asking our Muslim brothers to come back.
00:59Some are already returning and there is an understanding between us.
01:03Security has improved in recent years, encouraging some former residents to come home.
01:08But the return remains slow with many finding their homes destroyed and livelihoods disrupted.
01:14Many native residents of Cebu are still displaced.
01:18Some are in charge, others in Kagabandoro.
01:21The real problem is that their homes have been destroyed.
01:24To this day, they have no houses to live in.
01:26That affects their plan to return.
01:29For those returning, the challenge goes beyond rebuilding homes and businesses.
01:35They must also restore livelihoods, rebuild trust between neighbors and revive Cebu once thriving community while helping to preserve a
01:45fragile peace.
01:46Thank you and geleains.
01:51The retreat to me is preserved.
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