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Civilians killed in two days of fighting in Central African Republic Civilians killed in two days of fighting in Central African Republic
(35 minutes later)
Two days of fighting between armed groups in Central African Republic has left 16 people dead, including civilians, while 10,000 have fled their homes, the UN peacekeeping mission Minusca has said. Two days of fighting between armed groups in Central African Republic have left 16 people dead, including civilians, while 10,000 have fled their homes, the UN peacekeeping mission Minusca has said.
The clashes took place in the town of Bria, about 375 miles (600km) north-east of the capital Bangui, and pitted the Popular Front for the Renaissance of Central African Republic against the Union for Central African People. The clashes took place in the town of Bria, about 375 miles (600km) north-east of the capital, Bangui, and pitted the Popular Front for the Renaissance of Central African Republic against the Union for Central African People.
Both militia groups were part of the Séléka, a mainly Muslim coalition that toppled the then president in 2013, prompting reprisals by Christian anti-balaka (anti-machete) militia and a cycle of violence in which thousands died.Both militia groups were part of the Séléka, a mainly Muslim coalition that toppled the then president in 2013, prompting reprisals by Christian anti-balaka (anti-machete) militia and a cycle of violence in which thousands died.
“The clashes … kicked off on Monday morning and caused several victims,” Minusca’s spokesman, Vladimir Monteiro, said. “According to the figures that we have at our disposal there were at least 16 confirmed dead and thousands of displaced people.”“The clashes … kicked off on Monday morning and caused several victims,” Minusca’s spokesman, Vladimir Monteiro, said. “According to the figures that we have at our disposal there were at least 16 confirmed dead and thousands of displaced people.”
“These acts constitute grave access liable to be pursued judicially by national and international tribunals,” he told a news conference, adding that the death toll could rise. He gave no reason for the clashes.“These acts constitute grave access liable to be pursued judicially by national and international tribunals,” he told a news conference, adding that the death toll could rise. He gave no reason for the clashes.
The UN interim humanitarian coordinator, Michel Yao, also demanded that armed groups withdraw from outside the town’s hospital, saying that their presence impeded civilian access. The UN interim humanitarian coordinator, Michel Yao, also demanded that armed groups withdraw from outside the town’s hospital, saying their presence impeded civilian access.
Violence has reduced since an election in February that brought president Faustin-Archange Touadéra to power and was touted as a step toward peace, but the government lacks power to intervene outside of the capital and clashes remain frequent. Violence has reduced since an election in February that brought Faustin-Archange Touadéra to power as president and was touted as a step towards peace, but the government lacks power to intervene outside of the capital and clashes remain frequent.
France withdrew its peacekeeping forces in October, leaving security largely in the hands of the 13,000-strong UN peacekeeping mission.France withdrew its peacekeeping forces in October, leaving security largely in the hands of the 13,000-strong UN peacekeeping mission.