CAR conflict: Chadian troops ‘kill eight’ in Bangui

Chadian troops have killed eight people in the Central African Republic capital, Bangui, the African Union force there says. The soldiers reportedly opened fire on residents of mainly Christian neighbourhoods in northern Bangui.

One local journalist told the BBC the Chadians had been attacked by a Christian militia.

Another source from the Jeune Afrique says that the number of the dead reached 24 persons.

The country has been hit by civil conflict since Seleka rebels ousted the president in March 2013.

Chadian troops have been accused of supporting the rebels, who are mostly Muslims.

The contingent involved in Sunday’s incident had come to repatriate Chadians from the country.

Despite the deployment of some 6,000 African Union and 2,000 French troops in the country, violence has continued unabated.

On Friday a grenade attack on a funeral in Bangui was reported to have killed 11 people.

The conflict has taken on an increasingly sectarian nature, with UN human rights chief Navi Pillay warning last week that hatred between Christians and Muslims in CAR had reached a “terrifying level”.

There have been horrific attacks, including acts of cannibalism and children’s heads being cut off.

Around a quarter of the country’s 4.6 million people have fled their homes.

After the Seleka deposed President Francois Bozize and installed their leader Michel Djotodia as president, they were accused of targeting Christians.

In January, Mr Djotodia was in turn forced to step down amid criticism he had not done enough to stem sectarian violence.

Since then, Muslims have been singled out for attack, with thousands fleeing their homes, many to neighbouring countries such as Cameroon and Chad.

Earlier this month UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon proposed the UN authorise a force of 12,000 peacekeeping troops for CAR.

BBC 

UM– USEKE.RW