Site Where 18 Women And Children Were Murdered Uncovered

Al Jazeera says it has uncovered a site where 18 women and children were killed in the Central African Republic town of Bouar by a notorious former rebel group Seleka, who are now ruling the west African country.

The incident which occurred last month left residents devastated.

Al Jazeera's Nazanine Moshiri who is in Central African Republic told News24 that lawlessness was rife in the country.

"There is a lot of lawlessness. People with guns rule over the people without guns. Most of the victims are civilians and ordinary people who are just farmers and survive of the land," said Moshiri.

Moshori said this was probably one of the most difficult stories she has ever had to report on.

"The only people in the area who really wanted us to investigate what happened were the victims of this atrocity," she said.

Moshori said one of the victims she spoke to was Maxime Nganabeam who lost his two children aged 5 and 6.

Nganabeam told Al Jazeera: "When they shot my little boy, he fell to the ground. I lay down on the ground too. And I heard my wife screaming and crying. I broke down in tears; I was devastated."

Women and children

Moshori said women and children were the most vulnerable and were finding it difficult to cope with the situation.

"The most vulnerable are children and women. Children are malnourished. The worry is the longer the instability continues, the more problems people will be faced with. Humanitarian agencies like the MSF are trying to help with food and medical assistance," Moshori said.

Moshori hoped the international community would "do something about this crisis".

Central African Republic has been in chaos since the Seleka coalition of rebels ousted long-time president Francois Bozize in March.  A new government was put in place and Seleka was disbanded.

But as it appears President Michel Djotodia admits his regime can't control all their men: "When we arrived in Bangui all the jobless, big time bandits, and escapees from prison: they all dressed in uniform and said they were Seleka. It is difficult for me because I don’t know who they are. It is hard for me to control them," Djotodia told Al Jazeera. 

According to Organisation des Societes Civiles, a human rights organisation, at least 3 500 civilians have been killed in the country's conflict since December 2012.

Additional reporting by Al Jazeera

- News24