100 die in street clashes one day after signing of peace deal

Church leaders in Bria, in eastern Central African Republic (CAR), have expressed profound regret over clashes which left more than 100 people dead, writes Ellen Teague.

“Residents are very worried,” said Fr Gildas Gbeni of the St Louis Catholic mission in Bria. “The local Red Cross has collected bodies of fighters and civilians but there are still areas where access is difficult.” The country has been riven by conflict between the mainly Muslim Seleka rebels and the Christian Anti-Balaka militia since 2013.

Fighting erupted on 20 June between the two groups, allegedly over control of diamond-producing areas, just a day after the CAR Government and 13 rebel groups agreed to an immediate ceasefire. The deal was brokered in Rome by the Community of Sant’ Egidio. Pope Francis drew attention to the poverty and violence in CAR when he visited in November 2015, preaching reconciliation and meeting with both Christian and Muslim leaders.