Central African Republic leader returns to capital hit by violence

Catherine Samba-Panza, interim President of the Central African Republic, addresses a plenary meeting of the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit 2015 at the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan, New York September 26, 2015. REUTERS/Darren Ornitz

BANGUI (Reuters) - The interim president of Central African Republic returned home on Wednesday after leaving the U.N. General Assembly in New York early in response to the worst violence this year to hit the capital Bangui.

At least 39 people have died in inter-communal clashes that raise doubt about plans to hold elections on Oct. 18, meant to restore democracy to a country at the heart one of Africa's most combustible regions following a rebellion and years of turmoil.