Clashes between factions of the group led to the killing of at least 17 people in Bambari.

The former rebel movement, Seleka continues to create panic, fear and insecurity in the Central African Republic.  Clashes between rival factions of the group last Monday led to the killing of at least 17 people in the central town of Bambari. 

General Joseph Zoundeko said his backers tried to replace the supporters of General Ali Djarras as the rival factions of the two Seleka leaders battled to control the checkpoint in the town, The Voice of America reported.  Zoundeko said he was uncertain about which faction currently had control of the checkpoint.

The Seleka forces set up their headquarters in Bambari in May 2014.  General Joseph Zoundeko is head of the Seleka General Staff in Bambari. General Ali Djarras supporters are armed Peuls who are active in the area, an officer in the African Peacekeeping Force, MISCA who asked not to be named explained. He said the death toll was provisional considering the heaviness of the fighting and weapons used, some of which were rocket launchers.

Monday’s fighting plunged Bambari back to fear as many residents who were trying to leave their place of shelter went back to displaced people’s camps, the officer said. Almost 30,000 people are internally displaced in Bambari, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs sources indicate.