C.A. Republic's leader ousted, 13 S. African soldiers killed
Source: Agencies |
March 26, 2013, Tuesday
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THE president of the Central African Republic, Francois Bozize, fled to neighboring Cameroon yesterday, as the rebels who overthrew him began squabbling over who would now lead the impoverished nation long wracked by rebellions.
South Africa said 13 of its soldiers were killed in a fight against the Seleka rebels over the weekend as up to 3,000 fighters attacked its troops while advancing through the capital, Bangui. It was one of South Africa's heaviest losses in combat in nearly two decades and prompted criticism about why the country's forces had intervened in such a volatile conflict.
One of the Seleka rebel leaders, Michel Djotodia, said yesterday he considers himself to be the new head of state.
But another rebel leader told reporters his group does not recognize Djotodia as president, and says they will challenge his attempt to install himself at the helm. The move raises the specter of continuing unrest, amid reports of chaotic and violent looting in Bangui.
The government of Cameroon confirmed yesterday that Bozize is seeking "temporary" refuge there before leaving for another unspecified country.
The ousted president managed to get out of the Central African Republic amid fierce fighting over the weekend.
South African forces who were there to aid Bozize's troops suffered casualties when they "fought a high-tempo battle for nine hours defending the South African military base, until the bandits raised a white flag and asked for a cease-fire," South African President Jacob Zuma said. "Our soldiers inflicted heavy casualties among the attacking bandit forces."
General Solly Shoke, South Africa's military chief, said 3,000 rebels took part in fighting. He said the assailants were armed with mortars and heavy machine guns.
Following Bozize's ouster, divisions are already emerging over will lead the country.
In Paris, Nelson N'Jaadder, the president of the Revolution for Democracy, one of the rebel groups, said rebels had been pillaging people's homes in Bangui, including the homes of French expatriates. He said that yesterday, he had received a phone call from France's ambassador to Bangui and had presented his apology, explaining that those doing the pillaging were mostly Djotodia's men.
"We came to liberate the people, not to steal from them. This is shameful. Unacceptable," he said.
The coup is expected to affect the hunt for Joseph Kony, said the commander of African troops tracking the fugitive warlord. Bozize was a strong supporter of African efforts to dismantle Kony's Lord's Resistance Army and allowed the creation of two anti-Kony military bases in his country.
Some 3,350 African troops are currently deployed against the LRA in South Sudan and Central African Republic. The US also has anti-Kony military advisers in CAR. The US Africa Command did not have any immediate comment yesterday.
South Africa said 13 of its soldiers were killed in a fight against the Seleka rebels over the weekend as up to 3,000 fighters attacked its troops while advancing through the capital, Bangui. It was one of South Africa's heaviest losses in combat in nearly two decades and prompted criticism about why the country's forces had intervened in such a volatile conflict.
One of the Seleka rebel leaders, Michel Djotodia, said yesterday he considers himself to be the new head of state.
But another rebel leader told reporters his group does not recognize Djotodia as president, and says they will challenge his attempt to install himself at the helm. The move raises the specter of continuing unrest, amid reports of chaotic and violent looting in Bangui.
The government of Cameroon confirmed yesterday that Bozize is seeking "temporary" refuge there before leaving for another unspecified country.
The ousted president managed to get out of the Central African Republic amid fierce fighting over the weekend.
South African forces who were there to aid Bozize's troops suffered casualties when they "fought a high-tempo battle for nine hours defending the South African military base, until the bandits raised a white flag and asked for a cease-fire," South African President Jacob Zuma said. "Our soldiers inflicted heavy casualties among the attacking bandit forces."
General Solly Shoke, South Africa's military chief, said 3,000 rebels took part in fighting. He said the assailants were armed with mortars and heavy machine guns.
Following Bozize's ouster, divisions are already emerging over will lead the country.
In Paris, Nelson N'Jaadder, the president of the Revolution for Democracy, one of the rebel groups, said rebels had been pillaging people's homes in Bangui, including the homes of French expatriates. He said that yesterday, he had received a phone call from France's ambassador to Bangui and had presented his apology, explaining that those doing the pillaging were mostly Djotodia's men.
"We came to liberate the people, not to steal from them. This is shameful. Unacceptable," he said.
The coup is expected to affect the hunt for Joseph Kony, said the commander of African troops tracking the fugitive warlord. Bozize was a strong supporter of African efforts to dismantle Kony's Lord's Resistance Army and allowed the creation of two anti-Kony military bases in his country.
Some 3,350 African troops are currently deployed against the LRA in South Sudan and Central African Republic. The US also has anti-Kony military advisers in CAR. The US Africa Command did not have any immediate comment yesterday.
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