Central African Republic bans phone text messages

The authorities in the Central African Republic (CAR) have banned the use of mobile phone text messages.
The move is aimed at helping to restore security after more than a year of deadly ethnic and religious violence.


The ban comes after days of violent demonstrations in the capital, Bangui, and a mass text campaign calling for a general strike.
The protesters want the transitional government that came to power in January to resign. The CAR conflict began last year as mainly Muslim Seleka rebels, led by Michel Djotodia, seized power in the majority Christian country.

Mr Djotodia resigned as president in January under diplomatic pressure, but a interim government and French and African peacekeepers have failed to stop the violence between Christian and Muslim militia groups.