BANGUI
By Hassan Isilow
All five African peacekeepers killed in a Wednesday ambush in Bangui, capital of the troubled Central African Republic (CAR), were Chadian nationals, a spokesperson for African peacekeeping force MISCA has confirmed.
"The death of the peacekeepers is a huge loss to MISCA and the Chadian army in particular," spokesman Sadou Jean-Pierre told Anadolu Agency on Thursday.
On Wednesday, five peacekeepers were ambushed by Christian militiamen known as "anti-balaka" some 10km from Bangui.
Jean-Pierre condemned the attack, saying that if other peacekeeping troops had not responded in time the militants would have advanced on the capital.
Chadian peacekeepers have frequently come under attack by the Christian militia, which accuses them of protecting former seleka rebels who are, in turn, accused of killing Christians.
Last week, anti-balaka militiamen threw a grenade at a vehicle transporting Chadian peacekeepers, seriously injuring eight of the latter, one of whom died the following day.
Chadian troops were accused this week of opening fire on pro-French CAR protestors near the airport, killing one.
Muslim-majority Chad has contributed 850 troops, the largest contingent, to MISCA.
Earlier this week, CAR Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye thanked the Chadian government for contributing peacekeeping forces through the African Union.
He denied accusations that Chad had supported rebel groups with the aim of destabilizing the country.
The premier voiced regret that 57 Chadian and 12 Cameroonian nationals had been among those killed in recent sectarian violence.
CAR, a landlocked, mineral-rich country, descended into anarchy in March, when Seleka rebels – said to be mostly Muslim – ousted Christian president François Bozize, who had come to power in a 2003 coup.
The months since have seen the emergence of self-styled Christian militias, known as "anti-balaka."
According to UN estimates, more than 400,000 people – nearly ten percent of the country's 4.6 million-strong population – have abandoned their homes as a result of the violence.
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