Crossed Fates in Central African Republic

The moment Sam Phelps left the Central African Republic, he knew he had to return.

He had been there in 2013, documenting the food security crisis in Boda, a small town southwest of the capital, Bangui. On the final days of his trip, he was told he couldn’t leave the country: All travel had been prohibited after violent clashes broke out in Bangui, between the Seleka, a mostly Muslim rebel group, and the anti-balaka, composed of mostly Christian militias.