Clashes kill scores in the Central African Republic

Scores of people were killed in violence between former rebels and local militias in the troubled Central African Republic, officials said Wednesday, according to BBC News.

Muslim Seleka rebels took over the country's capital Bangui in March, deposing President Francois Bozize and destabilizing the nation.

The new government, led by President Michel Djotodia, has struggled to secure order and the United Nations has discussed intervention, according to Reuters.

This week's fighting was reportedly concentrated in the village of Garga, about 125 miles northwest of the capital.

Locals told the BBC that as many as 60 people might have been killed in clashes Monday and Tuesday.

According to Reuters, a self-defense militia near Garga assaulted a Seleka stronghold, killed several rebels, and attacked Muslims there.

Villagers said the rebels responded with violence toward the local Christian community. 

Agence-France Press said Garga had been evacuated, but that could not be immediately independently confirmed.

The Central African Republic is extremely impoverished and has struggled with statecraft, suffering a string of coups since gaining independence from France in 1960.