26 killed in Central African Republic massacre

Rebels have killed 26 villagers close to a town in the centre of the Central African Republic (CAR), according to a presidential spokesman. The incident marks the worst bloodshed in recent months in a country trying to draw a line under years of religious violence and political turmoil. Albert Mokpeme, the spokesman, said the killings […]

Rebels have killed 26 villagers close to a town in the centre of the Central African Republic (CAR), according to a presidential spokesman.
The incident marks the worst bloodshed in recent months in a country trying to draw a line under years of religious violence and political turmoil.
Albert Mokpeme, the spokesman, said the killings took place in the village of Ndomete, not far from the town of Kaga-Bandoro located in the centre of the country, about 350km north of the capital Bangui. He blamed fighters from the former Seleka rebel coalition.
“There were 26 victims. The Seleka [rebels] went door to door … The village chief was among the victims,” said Mokpeme. “It was a massacre.”
Violence pitting the mainly Muslim Seleka fighters against rival Christian anti-Balaka members started on Friday in Ndomete, before spreading to Kaga-Bandoro.
CAR’s UN peacekeeping mission, MINUSCA, dispatched troops to the area and separated the two groups.