CAR: Seleka rebels take capital

(Vatican Radio) The spectre of conflict has returned to the Central African Republic where today the Seleka rebel coalition seized control of the capital Bangui, forcing President Francois Bozize to flee into neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Senior government officials confirmed the rebels had captured the city of more than 600,000 people, which lies on the banks of the Oubangi river bordering Democratic Republic of Congo. Residents reported widespread looting of homes and businesses.

At least nine South African peace-keeping soldiers were killed trying to prevent the rebel advance. Seleka resumed hostilities this week, vowing to oust Bozize. The rebels, involved in an on-off rebellion since December, say Bozize failed to honour a January peace deal to integrate them into the regular army.
The violence is the latest in a series of rebel incursions, clashes and coups that have plagued the landlocked nation - which has rich deposits of gold, diamonds and uranium – since its independence from France in 1960.

France is sending more troops to the Central African Republic. A statement from the French president's office gave no details of troop numbers, but said President Francois Hollande had spoken with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and Chadian President Idriss Deby
and repeated his plea for restraint and dialogue between all parties.