French forces kill two Indians in Bangui airport

In these photos taken on Friday March 22, 2013 and provided on Monday March 25, 2013 by the French Army Communications Audio visual office, French soldiers arrive at Bangui airport, Central Africa Republic. Rebels overthrew Central African Republic's president of a decade on Sunday, seizing the presidential palace and declaring that the desperately poor country has "opened a new page in its history." The country's president fled the capital, while extra French troops moved to secure the airport, officials said. (AP Photo/Elise Foucaud, ECPAD)

PARIS, March 25 (Xinhua) -- French defence ministry confirmed that French forces fired on vehicles trying to enter the Bangui airport in Central African Republic, killing two Indian nationals.

The accident occurred "in a particularly confusing situation", as French troops based in the Bangui airport had been fired upon "from an unknown source," the ministry said in a statement.

"These vehicles were transporting Chadian and Indian nationals. Despite warning shots fired by troops guarding the site, the vehicles kept going at high speed," the ministry said in a statement.

"Two Indian nationals died. French forces immediately took charge of the injured Indian and the Chadian, who were driven to an aid facility," the ministry said.

It is reported that five other Indians and four Chadians got wounded in this accident.

Expressing deeply regret for the accident, the French defence ministry has decided to conduct an investigation to determine the exact circumstances.

France has sent 350 soldiers to the Central African Republic over the weekend to reinforce its protection of French citizens in the conflict-ridden country where the capital Bangui was seized by rebels who ousted the president on Sunday.

from XINHUA
2013-03-26 07:43:43

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South Africa: 13 South African Soldiers Dead in CAR

map by Evan Centanni (www.polgeonow.com)

Johannesburg — Thirteen South African soldiers were killed and 27 wounded in clashes with rebels in Central African Republic, President Jacob Zuma announced on Monday.
"We are deeply saddened by the events and developments in that country over the past 72 hours, which saw violence escalating and many innocent lives lost. We have confirmed that 13 of our brave soldiers who were committed to fighting for peace and stability in Africa fell in Bangui," Zuma said at a briefing in Pretoria.

"One soldiers is still not accounted for and they are still looking for him.

"Twenty seven were wounded. We wish them a speedy recovery. The chief of the SANDF will provide further details later today on operational matters," Zuma said.

In December, Zuma sent Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to the Central African Republic to assess the security environment and general situation which was tense after the Seleka rebel coalition launched an armed campaign.

The report from that mission recommended an intervention, he said.

On January 2 2013, Zuma as the commander-in-chief authorised the deployment of up to 400 South African soldiers to CAR.

Only 200 of the soldiers had been sent at the time of the attack.

Zuma said South Africa and CAR had signed a military co-operation agreement in 2007. This was renewed for a further five years in December 2012.

That agreement entailed provision of military training to the CAR army and refurbishment of military infrastructure.

The deployment of SANDF troops in CAR was part of the country's effort to contribute towards peace and stability in the region, Zuma said.

SANDF was tasked with building the capacity of the CAR defence force and help the CAR with the planning and implementation of the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration process.

"On behalf of the government and the people of South Africa we would like to convey our sincere condolences to the bereaved families," he said.

The just over 200 soldiers fought armed forces numbering over 1000 in a high tempo battle which lasted nine hours until the rebels raised a white flag and asked for a cease fire.

"South African soldiers inflicted heavy casualties among the attacking bandits," he said.

Zuma said the South African government had not taken any decision to withdraw the army from CAR.

"We have not taken a decision to withdraw. You would in a sense appreciate that there existed an agreement between two countries…And our being there was related to the task that we were given. We defended our base successfully…There has been no reason for us to leave. What we've been looking at is how do we enforce our forces, how do we ensure that there are no further casualties," said Zuma.

"There is no reason for us to issue a command for withdrawal."

from allAfrica/SAPA
By Penwell Dlamini, 25 March 2013

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Central African Republic Rebels Move Into Capital

map by Evan Centanni (www.polgeonow.com)

Central African Republic rebels pushed into the capital of Bangui on Saturday, ignoring a call by the country's prime minister for talks to avoid a bloodbath.

The Reuters news agency quoted a rebel spokesman, Nelson Ndjadder, as saying his fighters shot down a government military helicopter and were headed for the presidential palace.

Earlier Saturday, 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.

Seleka rebels say the only thing they wish to negotiate, however, is President Francois Bozize's departure.

Seleka political spokesman Eric Massi said Bozize must leave the C.A.R to bring peace.

On Friday, witnesses in the capital city said the streets were empty as people rushed home or tried to flee the city as the rebels approached. Schools and banks closed early following reports of the advance.

President of the Central African Republic Francois Bozizespeaks to the media at the presidential palace in Bangui, Central African Republic, January 2013.

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 have accused Bozize of breaking the agreement.

Bozize has led the C.A.R. since taking power in a 2003 coup. The president was said to be in South Africa on Friday. A local journalist told VOA that Bozize's prime minister has sought refuge with the peacekeepers near the Bangui airport.

The C.A.R. has a history of coups and unrest since winning independence from France in 1960. 

from VOA News

March 23, 2013

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More French Troops Go to Central African Republic

Dans la nuit du 30 décembre 2012, embarquement dans un Transall C160 de la compagnie de combat du 6e bataillon d'infanterie de marine (6e BIMa) en direction de Bangui Crédit : EMA - Ministère de la Défense

 

Bangui — As rebels advance in Central African Republic, France has deployed an additional 180 troops to protect its interests.

The French reinforcements arrived Sunday from nearby Gabon, bringing the total French military force in the capital, Bangui, to nearly 600, Col. Thierry Burkhard told The Associated Press Sunday. The troops are to protect French residents in the capital, which many fear will be attacked by the rebels.

As fears mounted that the rebels would attack Bangui, a city of 600,000, President Francois Bozize imposed a curfew from 7 p.m. until 5 a.m.

Bozize earlier appealed to France for help against the rebels, but French President Francois Hollande's government said it would only protect French interests and would not prop up the Bangui government.

The African Union is attempting to set up negotiations in Gabon between the Bozize government and the rebels.

The rebel forces have seized at least 10 cities across the sparsely populated north of the country. Residents in the capital now fear the

insurgents could attack at any time, despite assurances by rebel leaders that they are willing to engage in dialogue instead of attacking Bangui.

from allAfrica
31 December 2012

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US Closes Embassy in Central African Republic; Evacuates Staff

The United States has temporarily shut down its embassy in the Central African Republic and evacuated the staff, because of a rebel threat to topple the government.
A State Department spokesman Thursday said Washington is urging all parties to begin peace talks to offer a new vision of security for the country. He said U.S. diplomatic relations with the C.A.R. are not affected.

The United Nations already has evacuated non-essential staff from the country because of the threat of violence.

Rebel fighters are about 300 kilometers from the capital, Bangui. They have said they have no plans to seize the city, but say they will not wait around if government forces make any moves against them.

The rebel coalition called Seleka has captured 10 towns since launching its offensive two weeks ago. It has threatened to overthrow President Francois Bozize, accusing him of failing to implement a 2007 peace accord that ended an earlier rebellion.

The C.A.R. won independence from France in 1960. About 250 French troops are in the country as part of a peacekeeping mission. Some in the C.A.R. want France to do more to counter the rebel threat.

French President Francois Hollande says France is in the C.A.R. to protect its interests and nationals, not to intervene in the country's business.

from VOA News
December 27, 2012

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