CAR – 30 May 2014

Central African Republic: Ban deplores recent, urges end to ‘cycle of violence’
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today strongly condemned recent attacks in the Central African Republic (CAR) and encouraged the country’s Transitional Authority to do everything within its means to prevent further violence and to hold the perpetrators to account.

“The Secretary-General calls for an immediate end to the cycle of violence and retaliatory attacks,” his spokesperson said, referring to fighting that broke out following a 2012 rebel-led coup and has since become more brutal with reports of ongoing human rights violations and clashes that have left 2.2 million in need of humanitarian aid.

UN News Centre

 
Gunmen kill 11 in raid on church in Central African Republic
The Central African Republic was convulsed by more religious violence on Thursday after Muslim insurgents raided a church filled with thousands of refugees and killed at least 11 people.
The attack on Notre Dame church in the capital, Bangui, was the bloodiest assault on Christians since January. Muslim rebels burst inside the compound, throwing hand grenades and firing machine-guns. Dozens of people were wounded.

The Telegraph

 
French troops battle Muslim rebels in Central African Republic town
French peacekeeping troops in Central African Republic used helicopter gunships and mortars on Saturday to fight Muslim rebels at a bridge in the town of Bambari, northeast of the capital Bangui, a Reuters witness said.

The clash is the latest between fighters from the mostly Muslim rebel Seleka coalition and peacekeepers, and could deepen antagonism in the north of the country towards French forces