UN: Armed group kills more than 30 in Central African Republic
More than 30 people were killed and many more wounded when
an armed group attacked villages in northwestern Central African Republic on
Tuesday, the Voice of America quoted the UN's peacekeeping mission (MINUSCA) as
saying.
The massacres took place in several villages near the town
of Paoua, not far from the Chad border, Major General Pascal Champion, head of
MINUSCA's police component, said at a press conference in Bangui on Wednesday.
"Criminals arrived and opened fire" on the
residents, he said.
Thirty-one people were killed in Koundjili and Lemouna. At least
three others were killed in Bohong.
Local security forces also reported the deaths of 15 people
in Maikolo village, but this information was not immediately confirmed by the
UN.
The slaughter was the biggest single loss of life since the
government and 14 militias signed a deal in February aimed at restoring peace
to one of Africa's most troubled countries.
