At least 30 people have died and dozens wounded in clashes in the Central African Republic, officials say. The fighting between former rebels and local civil protection
groups broke out on Monday and continued on Tuesday. Reports say the vigilantes attacked Garga village, 200km (125 miles) north-west of the capital, Bangui. The impoverished country has descended into violence since rebels commanded by President Michel Djotodia ousted his predecessor Francois Bozize in March. Residents in Garga confirmed the latest fighting and told the BBC that up to 60 people may have died. The Agence France-Presse news agency quoted an official saying the village had been "emptied of its residents". Many had sought refuge in nearby bush land, it said. Mr Djotodia last month formally disbanded the rebels, part of an alliance known as Seleka, and integrated many fighters into the national army. However, rebels linked to Seleka have continued to launch attacks on scores of villages, prompting the emergence of local civilian protection groups. Aid workers have accused undisciplined former rebels of looting the healthcare system, as well as robbing civilians, since Mr Djotodia took power. The new president has promised to relinquish power after elections scheduled for 2016. The republic has huge deposits of precious minerals but has been plagued by chronic instability since independence in 1960.
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