The dead and wounded were among hundreds of protesters gathered to call for the UN troops to leave the country, Antoine Mbao-Bogo, president of the CAR Red Cross, said. A UN spokesman said at least four peacekeepers had been wounded.
A Reuters witness saw protesters, carrying anti-UN posters, throwing stones and shouting at the troops who responded with warning shots. There was then an exchange of gunfire between the troops and armed men near the crowd.