Bangassou has been a flashpoint since the conflict in Central African Republic reignited earlier this year, and already nine U.N. peacekeepers have been killed in the southeastern town. The recent violence has its roots in 2013, when Muslim militias called the Seleka violently took power in Central African Republic. In Bangassou, Muslims have sheltered on the grounds of the Catholic church since mid-May, Bishop Juan Jose Aguirre said. Rebel groups control an estimated 70 percent of Central African Republic, according to international human rights organizations. "MINUSCA must refocus and prioritize the essential component of its mandate: the protection of civilians," said Natalia Dukhan, Central African Republic analyst for the Washington-based nonprofit Enough Project.

Source: Fox News October 27, 2017 07:52 UTC