Rwandan soldier turns rogue killing 4 colleagues in CAR

A Rwandan soldier serving with the UN peacekeeping mission turned rogue shooting dead four of his fellow troops in the Central African Republic (CAR).

The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) announced with "deep sorrow" that eight others were injured in the shooting before the gunman was killed. The first statement released by the military said the gunman had killed himself but a second statement amended it clarifying he was killed by the security forces.

"Investigations have immediately commenced to establish the motive behind this deplorable shooting of his ... colleagues," said Brigadier General Joseph Nzabamwita, a spokesperson for the Rwandan military.

"We suspect terrorism without ruling out mental illness to be the cause. The RDF sends heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and the entire RDF fraternity."

The shooter was serving under the UN's Multinational Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (Minusca) in the landlocked nation.

CAR, one of the poorest African nations, descended into chaos in 2013 largely due to the sectarian violence spearheaded by Muslim Seleka rebels who seized control of the capital Bangui. There are more than 850 UN troops stationed in CAR and Rwanda is one of the top contributors of forces.