|
Central African Republic capital falls to rebels, president flees
Rebels in Central African Republic seized control of the riverside capital Bangui after fierce fighting on Sunday, forcing President Francois Bozize to flee and raising fears of instability in the mineral-rich heart of Africa.At least nine South African soldiers were killed trying to prevent the rebels taking Bangui, a Reuters witness said, dealing a blow to Pretoria's attempt to stabilize the chaotic Central African nation and assert its influence in the region. The Seleka rebel coalition resumed hostilities this week in the former French colony and quickly swept south towards Bangui with the aim of toppling Bozize, whom it accused of breaking a January peace deal to integrate its fighters into the army. "We have taken the presidential palace," Eric Massi, a Seleka spokesman, told Reuters by telephone from Paris. Senior government officials confirmed the rebels had captured the city of more than 600,000 people, which lies on the banks of the Oubangi river bordering Democratic Republic of Congo. Residents reported widespread looting of homes and businesses. "The looting is bad. Both the population and Seleka are involved," said one senior U.N. official in Bangui. "We are not sure who is in charge. I don't think it is clear yet. It is too early in the game." The violence is the latest in a series of rebel incursions, clashes and coups that have plagued the landlocked nation - which has rich deposits of gold, diamonds and uranium - since its independence from France in 1960. Posted by: tipper 2013-03-24 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=364812 |