BANGUI
Seven people were killed Monday in clashes between Chadian troops serving as part of the African peacekeeping force and the Christian anti-balaka militia in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR).
Three Chadian soldiers and four civilians were killed when clashes erupted near Bangui airport.
On Sunday, a Chadian peacekeeper was shot dead by Christian militiamen after a prostitute accused him of stealing her cellular phone.
The militants had seized the soldier's body and refused to hand it over to the African peacekeepers.
CAR descended into anarchy in March 2013 when Seleka rebels – said to be mostly Muslim – ousted Francois Bozize, a Christian, who had come to power in a 2003 coup. The rebels later installed Michel Djotodia, a Muslim, as interim president.
In the months since, the country has been plagued by tit-for-tat sectarian violence between Christian anti-balaka militias and former seleka fighters.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
