Conflict between Muslim and Christian communities in Central African Republic, 35 killed

Bengui, Ta. 28 December 2019, Saturday

At least 35 people have been killed in a clash between businessmen and armed rebel groups in Bengui, the capital of the Central African Republic. The uproar began after the rebels demanded tax on the sale of Christmas toys from traders.

There is an atmosphere of tension in Bangui between Christians and the Muslim community. At least 30 people were killed in clashes between militia members and traders in the troubled Bengui province. The imam of a mosque in PK-5 district, a Muslim sanctuary in Bengui, reported that 35 bodies had been brought to the mosque.

The clash took place between a group of businessmen and rebels on Christmas Eve. They were provoked by rebels demanding tax on Christmas toys from merchants, and the clash between the two groups led to violent clashes when a rebel was killed during the clash. The rebels later set fire to some merchants' warehouses.

The Central African Republic is one of the poorest countries in the world. Violence has been rampant in the country since it took power in 2014 from President Francois Bojij.