Officials in the Central Africa Republic have said that 30 people have been killed while dozen others left injured in clashes in the country.

The fighting was said to have started on Monday and continued on Tuesday between the Seleka rebels and local civil protection groups known as vigilante groups. The Seleka rebels ousted President Francois Bozize.

The local vigilante groups are known to be supporters of ousted President Francois Bozize while the Seleka rebels are the ones governing the country currently.

Local reporters said the vigilante groups attacked a village called Garga which is some 200 km north-west of the capital, Bangui. But residents in Garga told the BBC African Service that the number of casualties in the fighting might be more than 60 people.

Many residents are said to have deserted the town and are seeking protection in nearby bush as the security of the town continue to worsen.

A report by Human Rights Watch in New York last month accused the Seleka rebels of deliberate killing of civilians, including women and children and as well as destruction of more than 1,000 homes between March and June this year.

“Seleka leaders promised a new beginning for the people of the Central African Republic, but instead have carried out large-scale attacks on civilians, looting, and murder,” Human Rights Watch said.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council is planning to vote this week on a draft resolution that would see the United Nations exploring possibilities of establishing a peacekeeping force under its mandate in the country.

If the draft resolution is adopted by the 15-nation Security Council, Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon would have to submit a report within 30 days that would outline possible international support to a planned African Union peacekeeping mission which would be called MISCA.

Diplomats in the country have warned that the country is on the brink of becoming a failed state if measures are not put in place by the international community.

According to official United Nations figures, one third of the country’s 4.6 million people need assistance with food, shelter, healthcare or water and as many others are leaving in a deplorable condition.

The Central Africa Republic has been hit by a series of rebellions since independence from France in 1960.

There are large deposits of minerals including gold and diamonds but decades of conflict and mismanagement have left its people among one of the world’s poorest people.

Issaka Adams / NationalTurk Africa News

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