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Central African Republic Muslims killed in sectarian fighting Central African Republic Muslims killed in sectarian fighting
(35 minutes later)
Attackers armed with automatic rifles and machetes ambushed a convoy of Muslims fleeing sectarian violence in the Central African Republic, killing 22 people and leaving survivors with gashes, Save the Children has said.Attackers armed with automatic rifles and machetes ambushed a convoy of Muslims fleeing sectarian violence in the Central African Republic, killing 22 people and leaving survivors with gashes, Save the Children has said.
Spokesman Mike McCusker said doctors described gory scenes and harrowing accounts after gunmen fired a rocket grenade to halt a convoy of refugees and then attacked with firearms, machetes and clubs. Three children are among the dead.Spokesman Mike McCusker said doctors described gory scenes and harrowing accounts after gunmen fired a rocket grenade to halt a convoy of refugees and then attacked with firearms, machetes and clubs. Three children are among the dead.
"Our doctor said there was blood everywhere, just pouring out of people like tap water," McCusker told The Associated Press by phone. "Our doctor said there was blood everywhere, just pouring out of people like tap water," McCusker told the Associated Press by phone.
Friday's attack took place in the remote north-west of the country outside the town of Bouar and shows African and French peacekeepers are not reaching remote areas where violence goes unreported, said the British charity's country director Robert Lankenau. Life remains precarious in the "still fraught and highly dangerous" situation, he said. Friday's attack took place in the remote north-west of the country outside the town of Bouar and shows African and French peacekeepers are not reaching remote areas where violence goes unreported, said the British charity's country director, Robert Lankenau. Life remains precarious in the "still fraught and highly dangerous" situation, he said.
"An incident of this magnitude has only come to the forefront because of our internal contacts at the hospital. Maybe a lot of these stories are not being reported." He said nearly the entire population of Bouar, about 40,000, is taking refuge in mosques and churches. "An incident of this magnitude has only come to the forefront because of our internal contacts at the hospital. Maybe a lot of these stories are not being reported." He said nearly the entire population of Bouar, about 40,000, was taking refuge in mosques and churches.
Central African Republic has a history of coups and dictatorship. More than 1,000 people have died since December alone and nearly 1 million have been forced from their homes since a rebel leader backed by Muslim insurgents seized power last year.Central African Republic has a history of coups and dictatorship. More than 1,000 people have died since December alone and nearly 1 million have been forced from their homes since a rebel leader backed by Muslim insurgents seized power last year.
Michel Djotodia stepped down a week ago as international criticism mounted over his inability to halt killings some warn could explode into genocide, with Christian and Muslim militants accused of atrocities.Michel Djotodia stepped down a week ago as international criticism mounted over his inability to halt killings some warn could explode into genocide, with Christian and Muslim militants accused of atrocities.
A transitional national council is to vote on Monday to choose a new interim president from among 24 candidates. But there are fears that whatever choice they make could further ignite violence that has pitted rival tribes and Christians against Muslims.A transitional national council is to vote on Monday to choose a new interim president from among 24 candidates. But there are fears that whatever choice they make could further ignite violence that has pitted rival tribes and Christians against Muslims.
About 50% of the 5 million people are Christian and 15% Muslim, while the rest follow traditional animist religions, according to CIA data.About 50% of the 5 million people are Christian and 15% Muslim, while the rest follow traditional animist religions, according to CIA data.
McCusker said many lives were saved because Save the Children has been working at the hospital, providing drugs and other medical supplies, and local staff alerted them to Friday's carnage. Four surgeons quickly set up an operating room where they worked to save the most critically injured, including children. McCusker said many lives were saved because Save the Children was working at the hospital, providing drugs and other medical supplies, and local staff alerted them to Friday's carnage. Four surgeons quickly set up an operating room where they worked to save the most critically injured, including children.
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