100 Feared Dead in Central Africa a Day After Ceasefire Deal Inked

The violence in the central town was between members of Christian ‘anti-balaka’ militias and ex-Seleka fighters.

As many as 100 people may have been killed in a day of clashes between rival factions in the Central African Republic town of Bria, the mayor said on Wednesday.

"The death toll will certainly rise. For now it's an estimate and it could be up to 100 dead," said mayor Maurice Belikoussou by telephone to Reuters. "There are still dead lying in the neighbourhoods, in the roads, and in the bush," he added.

The violence in the central town of Bria was between members of Christian 'anti-balaka' militias and ex-Seleka fighters, the sources said.

The violence erupted just a day after the CAR government and rebel groups agreed to an immediate ceasefire, a deal brokered by the Catholic community Sant’Egidio in five days of negotiations in Rome.

Under the agreement, armed groups were granted political representation in exchange for an end to attacks and blockades.

We signed the agreement, but we have to defend ourselves, we can’t allow an attack to happen without reacting.

Djamil Babanani, Popular Front for the Rebirth of the Central African Republic

Sporadic fighting has continued since Saturday between Christian 'anti-balaka' militias and the FPRC after its leader Hamad Issa was killed in the town, according to several sources.

We know that much remains to be done. It is vital that the ceasefire agreed to by the parties is carried out immediately

UN Special Representative on CAR, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga

Battling between armed groups in the Bria area from 15 to 18 May left five people dead, 29 wounded and more than 40,000 others displaced, according to the UN.

Clashes in Bria, Alindao, Bangassou and Mobaye, east of the capital Bangui, resulted in a total of around 300 dead and 200 wounded, according to the UN's humanitarian coordination agency OCHA.

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