SELEKA rebels in the Central African Republic Sunday said they have seized the presidential palace in Bangui after President Francois Bozize fled the capital.

Reports suggested the president had gone to a neighbouring state. France’s foreign minister confirmed his exit.

The rebels, involved in an on-off rebellion since December, say Mr. Bozize failed to honour a peace deal.

One of the rebel leaders on the ground, Colonel Djouma Narkoyo, was quoted by AFP as saying: “We have taken the presidential palace. Bozize was not there.”

He said the rebels were planning to move on to the national radio station in Bangui where rebel leader Michel Djotodia planned to make a speech.

Intense gunfire was reported as rebels advanced through Bangui.

“The rebels control the town,” said a spokesman for the presidency, Gaston Mackouzangba. “I hope there will not be any reprisals.”

A Paris-based rebel spokesman said the rebel leadership was telling its fighters to restrain from “looting or score-settling”.

But Amy Martin of the UN’s humanitarian agency, OCHA, told the BBC World Service that residents in the capital had begun looting.

“The situation in town is chaotic in the sense than communities are looting properties, private properties, even a paediatric hospital we understand has been looted,” she said.

“Our main concern right now is at the community level, with the looting and the possible tensions between various ethnic groups.”

South African peacekeepers who suffered some casualties have retreated to their barracks and are seeking safe passage to the airport, Ms Martin said.

She added that Bangui has been without power since Saturday, and that this meant water had also been cut.

She also said the situation in the interior thought to be worse than in the capital, more than 170,000 estimated to have been displaced within the country and others fleeing to Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

An unnamed presidential advisor told Reuters news agency that Mr Bozize had crossed the Oubangi River into DR Congo yesterday morning.

Former colonial power France, has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, and reportedly sent troops to secure the airport.

On Saturday, French officials warned their nationals in the country to stay at home. France has some 1,250 troops in CAR.

The rebels joined a power-sharing government in January after talks brokered by regional leaders to end a rebellion they launched last year.

But the deal quickly collapsed, with the rebels saying their demands, including the release of political prisoners, had not been met.

BBC Africa editor Richard Hamilton says government soldiers have been unable to fend off the rebels because Mr Bozize fears being overthrown in a coup and is therefore wary of having a strong army.

He came to power himself in a military coup in 2003.

CAR, which has a population of about 4.5 million, has been hit by a series of rebellions since independence from France in 1960.

It is one of the poorest countries in Africa, despite its considerable mineral resources.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21915901

Dis is what bad governance could lead to.

What is 'Central African Republic'?!

Who else knew about this place before now?!

i jst hope b.h boys do nt learn from this....else GEJ wld flee Aso Rock.

REBELSSSS again

nawaoo, na anarchi be dat na. God pls hlp ur innocent n defenceless children.

Coup isn't the answer!!!

It amazes me how these african rebels are always stronger,better armed and motivated than their government troops,Africa is a real strange place

Okija_juju: What is 'Central African Republic'?!

Who else knew about this place before now?!

No be Congo again?

hmm

glimpse: i jst hope b.h boys do nt learn from this....else GEJ wld flee Aso Rock.

No rebel movement ,BH inclusive,has been this organised in Nigeria
Something like this can happen in Nigeria only by large scale indurrection against the state or an Army mutiny

dadicvila: It amazes me how these african rebels are always stronger,better armed and motivated than their government troops,Africa is a real strange place

Simple
The head of such goverments who most likely took power courtesy of coups/rebellions starves the armed forces of funds so as not to be overthrown by them giving way for well equipped/better funded rebels to emerge as the armed forces morale is low

Okija_juju: What is 'Central African Republic'?!

Who else knew about this place before now?!

Sorry about your Geography
Central Africa Republic shared boundary with Sudan on the east, Cameroun on the west and DR Congo down south and some other country and Chad in the north

Na wa o. This is one of the reason why africa is backward. Selfishness in display in every angle. God help CAR.

Africa!!!

When a president flees, just know that its the end of him!

Jonathan, i hope you and your ilks are watching ..... Be prepared, could be your turn tomorrow!

Moderator why nau?








Like I said, this what our BH boys suppose to do instead of bombing and killing innocent souls.

No worry.Naija go soon start e own.

What is wrong with the black man?

Why is rebels predominant in that region of africa

mosquitoNet: Moderator why nau?








Like I said, this what our BH boys suppose to do instead of bombing and killing innocent souls.

Just incase u don't know. First thing bh wants to do is Islamize Nigeria.

I'm sure u knew that.

Imanuelle:

Just incase u don't know. First thing bh wants to do is Islamize Nigeria.

I'm sure u knew that.

yeah that's what they been saying. But I know deep inside the heart of their hearts they know they can't. Their objectives is as f_ucked up as their mind. And guess our leaders are benefiting from their(BH) deeds, hence, they want them to continue.

GEJ oya time to save poor CAR from collapse *oya call ihejirika and de airforce chief make they go chase those boys away

13 South African soldiers killed in the rebellion according to Aljazerra.

Authentic failed state.

Is CAF also a islamic nation? I think say na for only islamic countries crisis dey, if na muslim country now dem go attribute am to islam now na bad govt. Smh to some ppl hypocrisy.

Try it with GEJ that is the end of Nigeria