A priest has been murdered by gunmen in the Central African Republic.

Fr Crépin Martial Monga, who was vicar of St John the Baptist church in Zemio in the east of the country, was killed on 29 June. Some reports suggest he was killed outside his residence.

Fr Crepin had worked as a coordinator for the Local Committee for Peace and Reconciliation of Zémio, a mediation body bringing together local communities, civil authorities, and other stakeholders.

A statement by Bishop Aurelio Gazzera of Bangassou Diocese published by the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), praised Fr Crepin for his commitment to peace and reconciliation in the region. He described his murder as “a tremendous loss for the local community and for the Diocese of Bangassou".

Violence between armed militias and ethnic tension over land and resources has escalated in the region over the past few weeks, with many people being displaced from their homes. SECAM said the ongoing violence in Zémio made “it difficult to obtain precise information about the circumstances of the attack”.

Bishop Gazzera is an Italian Carmelite priest who has worked as a missionary in the Central African Republic for 35 years, partnering with the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need. He is himself internationally recognised for carrying out peace negotiations with various armed groups.