The UN accused Chadian soldiers today of carrying out an unprovoked attack when they opened fire in a crowded market in the Central African Republic's capital Bangui, killing at least 30 people.
The damning findings came a day after Chad - under fire over the Saturday attack, which also left 300 people wounded -- angrily announced it was withdrawing from the African peacekeeping force struggling to restore security in the strife-torn state.
An investigation into the attack found the Chadian troops had "opened fire on the population without any provocation," said a spokesman for the UN's human rights arm.
"As panic-stricken people fled in all directions, the soldiers allegedly continued firing discriminately," the spokesman, Rupert Colville, said.
"According to our preliminary findings, at least 30 people were killed as a result of the shooting and over 300 were seriously injured, including children, people with disabilities, pregnant women and the elderly, as these were the people least able to run for their lives.
"Why they start shooting like this in the marketplace is not clear," he added.
The attack apparently ended when Congolese peacekeepers arrived, said Colville.
Chadian soldiers in the 6,000-strong MISCA peacekeeping force have reportedly been jittery. MISCA says local militiamen have staged targeted attacks on the Chadian contingent.
Chad said yesterday it was pulling its troops from MISCA because of "a wanton and malicious campaign" against them.
Chadian soldiers have been accused of siding with the mainly Muslim Seleka movement -- which seized power in March 2013 and held it until January this year -- and of condoning the abuses carried out by some of them against the majority Christian population.
Chad has always denied the charges, and has said it wants to keep working with the neighbouring country to rebuild security there.
The Central African Republic expressed regret today at the decision by Chad, one of the largest contributors to MISCA with about 850 soldiers on the ground.
But many Christians blame the Chadian troops for stoking strife, and say they will be glad to see them go.
