At least 16 people have been killed and several houses burned to the ground in Batangafo, north of the Central African Republic (CAR). The deaths were caused by clashes between Christian anti-Balaka militia who attempted to occupy territories belonging to the Central African Patriotic Movement (MPC), a faction of the Muslim Seleka rebellion.
Reports on the ground indicate that most of the residents of the area are hiding in bushes and IDP camps with little to no activities taking place including school or trade. Locals have developed psychological problems especially the injured people who do not dare to go to the hospital for fear of being attacked on the way.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited the country last week. He called on the international community to act in solidarity to help the Central African Republic deal with chaos and violence. Guterres said the nation is at risk of plunging back into a war.
The country has been wracked by violence since Muslim Seleka rebels ousted then-President Francois Bozize, a Christian, in 2013.
