Witnesses say violence in Central African Republic pitting Muslim fighters against Christian civilians has killed 21 people, including two who were publicly executed in front of a courthouse.
Nono Azoundja, resident of the central town of Bambari, said today that the violence erupted after villagers killed two Muslim men on a motorcycle in the nearby village of Liwa on Monday.
In response, Azoundja and other witnesses said Muslims fighters descended on both Liwa and Bambari, throwing grenades and burning more than 100 houses.
Some of the fighters were affiliated with the Seleka rebel coalition that once controlled the country before being forced from power in January.
Until recently Bambari had largely been spared the violence that has killed thousands and displaced nearly 1 million people since December.
