Chadian soldiers defend shootings in C. African Republic that left 32 dead

BANGUI, Central African Republic – A general with the African peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic is defending Chadian soldiers who are accused of killing scores of civilians when they fired into crowds.

Gen. Martin Tumenta Chomu said Monday that the Chadian troops were only fighting back an attack that had been launched by Christian militiamen in the area.

Local authorities say more than 20 people were killed in the PK12 neighborhood, and at least 12 others died elsewhere in Saturday's violence.

Chomu told reporters that the shooting was a "non-event" for the African peacekeeping mission, though it has prompted outrage in the streets of Bangui.

Chadian soldiers said that two of their peacekeepers had been wounded, and they also showed what they said was damage to their vehicle from grenades and gunfire.