In addition to the tribal conflicts, which have been gradually escalating over the last few years, is added a potential for religious war. Several states in the Moslem north have imposed Sharia (Moslem religious) law in the last two years. According to the national constitution, citizens are supposed to be protected from religious persecution. Christians in the north see themselves as being vulnerable to harm from the broad application of Sharia law. Even people in the largely Christian south see the government's tolerance for Sharia law as opening up the possibility of Sharia going national. This would definitely touch off religious violence on a wide scale. Tribes tend to be either Moslem or Christian, and the religion angle has provided yet another reason for the formation of more tribal militias. The national government has tried to avoid involvement in the Sharia law issue, knowing that it could spark wide spread violence. And the situation is headed in that direction anyway.
