Rebels Take presidential Palace in Central Africa

In Central African Republic rebels have taken presidential palace, France Press reports.  It is not known whether the head of the state was there. 

Earlier Radio France International reported that France had sent troops to the Central African Republic.

According to diplomatic sources Paris has requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the solution of the crisis in Central Africa.

The groups of insurgents united in the Seleca coalition want the resignation of the country’s president Francois Bozize.

It is urging the authorities to comply with the terms of the truce agreement. Under the agreement the government promises money compensations and working places in exchange for stopping violence.  The rebels are determined to take control over the capital of Bangui on Sunday.

The Central African Republic, which is rich of natural resources (deposits of diamonds, uranium, gold) remains one of the poorest countries in the world.

Shooting, explosions shake C. African capitalGunfire and explosions shook the capital of the Central African Republic on Sunday after rebels said they had pushed into the city in their battle to oust President Francois Bozize.

The explosions and shooting could be heard in the south of Bangui.

A source in the Central African Multinational Force (FOMAC) said the firing had also resumed at around 0645 GMT in the north of the capital, according to Reuters.

Heavy fighting erupted in Central African Republic’s capital Bangui early on Sunday after an overnight lull in clashes between the army and rebels seeking to topple the president, a senior officer with a regional peacekeeping force said.

“This morning it was calm until 8 o’clock (0700 GMT). Now there are explosions left and right. It’s in the city. This is heavy weapons fire focused on the city’s main axes,” said the official, who asked not to be named.

A rebel commander in the Central African Republic said Sunday would be a “decisive day” in the fight for the capital Bangui and the campaign to topple President Francois Bozize.

“Today will be decisive. Our men are in Bangui, we are taking up positions,” said Colonel DjoumaNarkoyo, one of the military leaders of the Seleka rebel coalition.

R.S