Hundreds of soldiers, militiamen escape from Central African Republic prison

BANGUI, Central African Republic, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Violence that has killed more than 30 people continues in the Central African Republic as hundreds of inmates escaped from a prison in Bangui, the capital.

Clashes between the anti-Balaka Christian militia and Muslim groups began Saturday after a Muslim taxi driver was killed. Anti-Balaka attacked the Ngaragba prison in Bangui and freed hundreds of soldiers and militiamen Monday evening.

The CAR has experienced increased violence and unrest since the Seleka Muslim rebel group seized power in March 2013 and was later ousted, sparking violent reprisals against the country's Muslim population.

Thousands of Muslims have fled their homes. An interim government was established in January 2014 and presidential elections were scheduled for October.

Interim CAR President Catherine Samba Panza cut short her trip to the United Nations General Assembly in New York City to return to Bangui. Protesters marched onto the presidential palace on Monday demanding for the army's power to be increased, as it has been reduced since the interim government was installed.

The UN called for the "immediate end to the sudden eruption of violence" and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon "strongly condemns all acts of violence."

"He urges the Central African Republic's leaders and partners in the sub-region to work closely with [the U.N. Mission in the Central African Republic] to prevent the violence from derailing the political process and to ensure that the transition is concluded in a timely manner, in order to chart a sustainable path to peace," read a statement by the UN.

Security Council members also expressed "deep concern about the latest developments and called for an immediate end to the violence."

"They strongly condemned such violence, including all attacks against civilians, violence between communities, as well as attacks against humanitarian personnel, and recalled that those responsible should be held accountable before justice," the statement read.