Central African Republic in National Mourning after Rebels Kill 26

BANGUI (dpa/NAN) ―Flags flew half-mast across the war-torn Central African Republic (CAR) on Thursday, after interim President Catherine Samba-Panza declared three days of national mourning for 26 people killed by Islamist Seleka rebels this week.

Heavily armed Seleka fighters attacked the Saint Joseph Cathedral of Bambari, 385 km north-east of Bangui, on Monday, where hundreds of Christians were seeking refuge after fleeing previous attacks.

The national Red Cross counted 26 dead bodies on Thursday, after initially reporting 22 deaths, among the dead was 11 women and children.

CAR has been in turmoil since Seleka overthrew President Francois Bozize, a Christian, in March 2013.

Report says about 2,000 French and 6,500 African forces are battling to contain the violence in the former French colony.

Thousands of people are reported to have been killed in fighting and about a million displaced. (dpa/NAN)  

Photo Credit: Getty Images News/Spencer Platt