CAR President Flees Capital as Rebels Take Bangui
by VOA News March 24, 2013
Rebels in Central African Republic have seized control of the capital, Bangui, forcing President Francois Bozize to flee Bangui.
Witnesses reported heavy fighting in the city early Sunday as the rebels fought their way through the capital on their way to taking over the presidential palace.
Authorities did not say officially where President Bozize had fled. Reuters news agency quotes a presidential advisor saying anonymously that the president crossed into the Democratic Republic of Congo early Sunday. However officials say he is not in the country.
The rebels initially pushed into Bangui Saturday, plunging the city into darkness after sabotaging a hydroelectric power plant.
In an interview with VOA's French to Africa service, a government spokesperson said Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye was asking members of the Seleka rebel alliance to get in touch with the national unity government to find a peaceful solution. But Seleka rebels said the only thing they wish to negotiate is President Bozize's departure.
Seleka political spokesman Eric Massi told VOA French to Africa that President Bozize must leave CAR to bring peace.
Meanwhile, South Africa's military says it will deploy more troops to the country following clashes between rebels and its forces. Reuters news reports that at least six South African soldiers were killed during fighting in Bangui late Saturday.
France also says it is planning to send more troops to the country, however the exact number is not yet known.
Seleka began its offensive in December, seizing about one-third of the country. The rebels later reached a peace deal with the government in regionally-mediated talks, but they have accused President Bozize of breaking the agreement.
Bozize has led CAR since taking power in a 2003 coup.
CAR has a history of coups and unrest since winning independence from France in 1960.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
