20 killed in Central African Republic clash

At least 20 people were killed in the weekend clash between the Seleka rebel coalition and a group of militia backing the ousted president, Francois Bozize, an independent source told Xinhua on Monday.

The Seleka rebels took power in Central African Republic on March 24, ousting Bozize, despite the Libreville peace agreement signed on Jan. 11.

"An operation by Seleka to mop up weapons was transformed into incidents of robbery, assassinations and abductions in Bangui.

"At least 20 people were reported dead in different sections of the capital. The whole population is shocked and living in fear. There is an urgent need to disarm the Seleka," said a member of the National Transition Council, who did not wish to be named.

The fighting erupted after the National Transition Council was set up to serve as the transition parliament for the next 18 months. On Saturday, the council elected Michel Djotodia, the leader of the rebel coalition, as interim president.

According to the source, the rebels were trying to recover weapons distributed to militia groups by the ousted president, but the operation turned violent.

No official from the rebel coalition was available to give Xinhua their version of the situation in Bangui, which has witnessed increasing cases of rape, assassinations and other human rights violations.

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