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Rebels capture Central African Republic capital, president flees (France sends 300 more troops)
Reuters ^ | Sun Mar 24, 2013 5:59pm EDT | Paul-Marin Ngoupana

Posted on 03/25/2013 11:43:41 AM PDT by Pan_Yan

(Reuters) - Rebels in Central African Republic seized the riverside capital Bangui in fierce fighting on Sunday, forcing President Francois Bozize to flee and sowing confusion over who ruled 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 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."

France, which already had 250 soldiers in Central African Republic, has sent another 300 troops from Gabon since Friday to ensure the security of French citizens and diplomatic installations in Bangui, according to the defense ministry.

(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cameroon; car; france; lra
Washington Post article describes a pitched battle between 200 entrenched South African "peacekeepers" and 3,000 (?) rebels. South Africa reports 13 dead and 27 wounded.

Since 2011 the United States has had 100 special forces "advisors" working out of Obo, CAR searching for the Lord's Resistance Army in cooperation with four countries in the area.

1 posted on 03/25/2013 11:43:41 AM PDT by Pan_Yan
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To: Pan_Yan

French military combat. What could possibly go wrong?


2 posted on 03/25/2013 11:50:02 AM PDT by onedoug
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To: onedoug

Who is backing these rebels?


3 posted on 03/25/2013 11:52:05 AM PDT by fella ("As it was before Noah, so shall it be again,")
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To: Pan_Yan
Sounds like Frederick Forsythe's The Dogs of War.
4 posted on 03/25/2013 11:57:42 AM PDT by Timber Rattler (Just say NO! to RINOS and the GOP-E)
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To: fella
Who is backing these rebels?

In case this is what you were asking (CIA World Factbook):

indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%

Based on it's history it looks likes everyone not in the immediate family of the President wants the President dead; and it doesn't matter who the President is. Though tampering is very common among African nations it doesn't look like any one rebel group is in charge or has overt support.

5 posted on 03/25/2013 12:09:08 PM PDT by Pan_Yan (I love it when spell check selects every single word in my post.)
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To: fella

More likely us, if the money is followed.


6 posted on 03/25/2013 12:18:32 PM PDT by onedoug
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To: Pan_Yan

France will run out of troops soon with them in Mali too.


7 posted on 03/25/2013 12:31:19 PM PDT by edcoil (If the man was accused of leadership, there would not be enough evidence to convict him.)
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To: edcoil

French Foreign Legion.


8 posted on 03/25/2013 2:28:25 PM PDT by OldNewYork (Biden '13. Impeach now.)
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