Rebels in control of Central African Republic capital, Bangui
Iran Press TV
Sun Mar 24, 2013 9:45AM GMT
Rebels in the Central African Republic say they have taken control of the capital city of Bangui after heavy fighting.
The fighters on Sunday also seized the presidential palace in the capital and forced President Francois Bozize to flee.
'We have taken the presidential palace. (President Francois) Bozize was not there,' said one of the rebel commanders on the ground, Colonel Djouma Narkoyo.
He said the rebels were heading to the national radio station where Seleka rebel coalition leader Michel Djotodia planned to make an address.
The development came a day after hundreds of Seleka forces entered the capital, and called on President Francois Bozizé to leave.
'We call on the population to stay at home, on the FACA (Central African Armed Forces) not to fight, and on President Bozizé to leave,' Seleka spokesman Eric Massi said in Paris.
Residents in Bangui rushed to their houses while the fighters took out a power station supplying parts of Bangui from the nearby town of Boali.
On the same day, French troops were dispatched in the country to counter the Seleka fighters.
'A company of troops has been sent to secure the airport. The airport is now secure,' a diplomatic source told Reuters on Saturday.
On Wednesday, CAR state TV announced two presidential decrees to free political prisoners, lift curfews, and ban road blocks manned by pro-Bozizé militia.
On January 11, the president and representatives of the Seleka fighters signed an agreement in Libreville, Gabon, after three days of negotiations brokered by regional neighbors.
Under the deal, some opposition figures and Seleka coalition members were given a number of key posts in the government.
The Seleka fighters launched an offensive against the government in December 2012.
There are many mineral resources, including gold and diamonds, in the Central African Republic. However, the country is extremely poor and has faced a series of rebellions and coups since it gained independence in 1960.
DB/MA
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