(Vatican Radio) The US ambassador and other diplomats were evacuated out of the Central
African Republic on Friday as rebels came closer to the capital, Bangui. President
Francois Bozize on Thursday urged France and other countries to come to his aid to
defeat the rebels, but French President Francois Hollande said he has no plans to
prop up Bozize’s regime. Paris is instead encouraging peace talks between the government
and the rebels, who claim the government hasn’t implemented a 2007 peace deal meant
to integrate them into the army. Central African Republic has had little stability
since achieving independence in 1960, and has experienced a number of coups and rebellions.
President Bozize himself came to power nearly a decade ago after a similar revolt.