4 killed during clashes in Central African Republic

At least two African UN peacekeepers and two gunmen have been killed following a fresh round of violence between soldiers and militia in the Central African Republic (CAR), an official says.

Two African peacekeepers from Chad were killed on Sunday after a weekend of fighting with militiamen in the capital city of Bangui, said Martin Tumenta, head of military operations with the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA), on Monday.

The top commander with the international force said the dead gunmen came from the mostly Christian militia known as the anti-Balaka group.

Another Chadian soldier was wounded in the Combattant neighborhood on Monday, while travelling with a group of soldiers through the area without authorization, Tumenta added.

The incident marks the latest in tensions that have gripped the African country since nearly a year ago.

Christian militia groups in the Central African Republic have been raging violence against Muslims, many of whom have escaped the country so as not to get killed by the militia.

The deadly violence continues as 1,600 French soldiers alongside 6,000 African peacekeepers have been deployed in the country to end clashes between Christian militia and the Muslim minority.

However, many say the French troops are turning a blind eye on crimes committed by Christian militiamen.

The recent violence in the country has claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people.