Documenting the sectarian violence

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The River Oubangui near the capital Bangui. Michael Zumstein / Agence Vu

A camp for displaced people near Bangui airport, where 30,000 people have sought refuge following clashes between former-Séléka soldiers and anti-balaka Christian militiamen (December 2013). Michel Zumstein / Agence Vu

Family members mourn the death of 'Fionboy', who was shot in the head following clashes between Séléka rebels and anti-balakas militias in the Miskine district in Bangui. Michel Zumstein / Agence Vu

In the former residence of Jean Bedel Bokassa, the country's ex-president, in Berengo a young Séléka soldier who has been abandoned waits to hopefully be reintegrated into the regular army. Michel Zumstein / Agence Vu

Outside the Ali Babolo mosque in Bangui following clashes between Séléka rebels and anti-balakas militias. Michel Zumstein / Agence Vu

Members of the "Mouvement de Révolte des Forces Armées Centrafricaines pour le Peuple" receive military training on the outskirts of Bangui (December 2013). Michel Zumstein / Agence Vu

A woman mourns the death of a relative in the Christian district of Boy Rabé in Bangui (December 2013). Michel Zumstein / Agence Vu

Christian militiamen, known as anti-balakas, in the main street of Njoh, 200km north of the capital Bangui. Michel Zumstein / Vu

Men protect themselves from the storm on the outskirts of Bangui (December 2013). Michel Zumstein / Agence Vu

A French soldier patrols in the Castro district in Bangui (December 2013). Michel Zumstein / Vu

Between Bangui and Boualia a man shows a machete injury he received from Séléka rebels. Michel Zumstein / Agence Vu

In Bégoua district 13km from Bangui a group of Muslims whose neighbourhood was completely ransacked by locals and anti-balakas are evacuated by French soldiers. Michel Zumstein / Agence Vu

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Franco-Swiss photojournalist Michaël Zumstein has been following the crisis and sectarian violence in the Central African Republic since March 2013 when mostly Muslim rebels known as Séléka came from the country's far north to overthrow the president.

Their ten-month reign was marked by widespread human rights abuses and deepening divisions between the country’s Muslim minority and Christian majority.

Bitter hatred over their rule has led to mobs carrying out public killings and lynchings of anyone perceived as being part of Séléka. Almost one million people, or a quarter of the population, have been displaced by fighting since March 2013. At least 2,000 people have been killed.

The United Nations has warned that the conflict in the landlocked former French colony could spiral into genocide. France sent 1,600 troops to Central African Republic to assist some 5,000 African Union peacekeepers, while the European Union agreed in January to send around 500 troops. The spiral of revenge violence in the country continues unabated, however (all pictures by: Michaël Zumstein, Agence VU).