Deadly violence erupts in CAR over killing of Muslim

At least 21 people have been killed and 100 wounded in Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic as Muslims attacked a mainly-Christian neighbourhood, medical officials and witnesses have said.

Saturday’s attack came after a Muslim man was killed and his body was found dumped in the street, witnesses and a Muslim group spokesman, Ousmane Abakar, told news agencies.

Two years of violence, which erupted after Muslim Seleka rebels seized power in the majority-Christian country in 2013, has killed thousands of people and forced hundreds of thousands to leave their homes.

The fighting divided the country when Muslims were chased from the south.

There had not been any attacks in Bangui, which is secured by French and UN soldiers, for months until a grenade attack earlier in September.

In Saturday’s incident, angry Muslims left their stronghold in the 3rd district of Bangui and attacked the largely-Christian 5th district using automatic weapons.

Residents fled to other parts of the capital and attackers burned houses and cars, witnesses said.

UN helicopters, part of a peacekeeping force, flew overhead.