Clashes in the Central African Republic between Muslims and Christians have killed 14 people in the past week, police and a senior Catholic official have reported.
While Christians make up 80 percent of the Central African Republic's 4.5 million population, they have been the victims of violence since Seleka rebels took control of the government and overthrew President Francois Bozize in March. Muslims are a relatively small minority in the country, making up only 10 percent.
On Tuesday, Christians in the city of Bangassou organized a protest against Seleka's predominantly Muslim fighters, said Bangassou police official Edouard Mbiga.
But Muslim community members, backed by Seleka fighters, used force and weapons to halt the march and a conflict broke out between the groups shortly thereafter, killing 10 people.
Attacks on Saturday killed 4 more Christians, confirmed Bangassou's Catholic Bishop Juan José Aguirre.
"All four of those killed were from the Christian community. We're overwhelmed, inundated by thousands of men, women, and children seeking refuge from the fighting at the diocese," he said. Keep reading
Also see
Churchmen attacked in Central African Republic
No comments:
Post a Comment