Bangui – Violence in Central African Republic pitting Muslim fighters against Christian civilians has killed 21 people so far this week, including two who were publicly executed in front of a courthouse, witnesses said on Wednesday.
The latest clashes erupted after villagers in Liwa, located 10km outside of the central town of Bambari, killed two Muslim men on a motorcycle on Monday, residents said. In response, fighters descended on both Liwa and Bambari, throwing grenades and burning more than 100 houses, said Bambari resident Nono Azoundja.
After taking four people hostage, the fighters quickly executed two of them in front of the Bambari courthouse, which Seleka leaders have been using as a headquarters, Azoundja said.
French and African forces had arrived in Liwa to restore calm and conduct an investigation, he said.
Some of the fighters were affiliated with the Seleka rebel coalition that overthrew then-President Francois Bozize in March 2013, triggering the country’s latest slide into turmoil.
Seleka leader Michel Djotodia became transitional president, but he was forced to resign in January amid mounting international outrage over human rights abuses committed by the rebel fighters.
Christian militias have since sought revenge for atrocities committed during Djotodia’s rule. The sectarian violence has left thousands dead and forced nearly 1 million people to flee their homes…
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