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Thousands flee as ethnic violence erupts in Central Africa

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-02-15 15:32

BIRAO, Central African Republic -- Over 6,000 people have fled the Ndele region of the Central African Republic for a Chadian border village after violence erupted between two ethnic groups, officials said Saturday.

This image released by UNICEF shows displaced people outside Paoua, a northern village in the Central African Republic near the Chad border in 2008.[Agencies]

"We have taken in 6,180 people. Small groups continue to arrive... mainly women and children, said Annette Rehrl, a spokeswoman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

"Chadian authorities have been informed but it is still too early to say if the refugees will settle up in a camp," she added.

Rehrl said UNCHR hoped the refugees would soon be able to return to their homes in the northeast of the country.

The European Union's peacekeeping force, EUFOR, have kept a strong presence in the region the last few days to safeguard the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Emmanuel Ngboya, a commander with the Central African Armed Forces (FACA), told AFP that he was confident fighting between the Runga and Gulus groups could be brought to an end.

"It's an ethnic problem which could be resolved. There has been fighting," Ngboya said, "The FACA are on the ground and it's finished."

Military sources, who did want to be identified, blamed the attacks on dissidents from the Union Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR) rebel group, which has recently taken part in the peace process.

Djarnib Ngrebaye, a rebel spokesman, "rigorously denied" that UFDR members had taken part.

"I've also heard this allegations. They are completely false," he said.