Muslim militants kill 26 civilians in Christian village in CAR

The Muslim rebel group Seleka attacked a predominantly Christian village in Central African Republic (CAR), killing 26 civilians on Friday, Sept 16. The group reportedly went door-to-door to kill Christian residents in the village of Ndomete.

The attack is deemed as the worst case of violence in CAR in recent months.

"There were 26 victims. The Seleka went door to door..The village chief was among the victims," said presidential spokesperson Albert Mokpeme. "It was a massacre," he added.

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) deployed its troops to the area.

"MINUSCA regrets the loss of human life and the wounded that were recorded and also denounces attacks against the humanitarian community and United Nations personnel," it said.

Seleka has been constantly fighting against the Christian militia known as anti-Balaka but government officials said that this particular attack targeted civilians.

Fighting between the two groups broke out in the nearby town of Kaga-Bandoro on the same day. Seleka reportedly looted the Saint of Nativity Parish and other businesses in Kaga-Bandoro.

Seleka is largely responsible for a coup that removed President Francoise Bozize from power in March 2013. Bozize, a Christian, was replaced by Seleka commander Michel Djotodia.

The newly installed government was unable to control the rebel group. There were reported cases of Seleka fighters killing entire families and looting.

"Just think the four horsemen of the apocalypse and you'll have the picture," said Peter Bouckaert, emergencies director of Human Rights Watch. "People really hated [the Séléka]. That's what got the Antibalaka going," he continued.

Anti-Balaka started fighting against Seleka in September 2013. They were joined by the former members of the national army after it was disbanded by the coup. The experience and authority of the former army members led to the militia's growth.

Most anti-Balaka fighters are Christians but some only joined for revenge. Some see the militia as their only means of survival. The group has been reportedly committing abuses against Muslim civilians. A few of its members have claimed that they are fighting for Christians but some religious leaders denounced the claim.