CAR rebels call on govt troops to lay down arms

AFP/Bangui

Rebels in the Central African Republic called on government troops to lay down their arms yesterday, but said they had no plans to move on the capital after capturing their fourth major town in a month.

“We call on all the sons and daughters of Central Africa, on all members of defence and security forces still loyal to (President) Francois Bozize’s regime... to lay down their arms immediately,” said a statement from the Seleka rebel coalition.

“For reasons of security and protection of civilians, we no longer consider it necessary to wage the battle for Bangui and to send our troops there as General Francois Bozize... has already lost control of the country,” it said.

The statement came a day after the rebels seized the town of Kaga-Bandoro, the fourth regional capital captured since their offensive began on December 10.

The central African bloc ECCAS said yesterday that it was sending envoys to persuade the rebels and government to agree a ceasefire.

“The ECCAS is in the middle of sending a team on the ground to try and get a ceasefire from one side and the other,” Nassour Ouaidou, the head of the Economic Community of Central African States, said in Libreville.

“It is only after this that we will be able to organise negotiations in which we have high hopes,” he said.

Meanwhile, angry demonstrators hurled projectiles and tore down the French flag at France’s embassy in the Central African Republic capital Bangui yesterday, protesting at a lack of help to deter rebels who have occupied a large swathe of the country.

Former colonial power France “has the tendency to abandon us,” a protester said as the group arrived from an earlier sit-in outside the US embassy. “We no longer need France, France may as well take its embassy and leave.”

Protesters close to embattled President Francois Bozize had begun their US embassy protest chanting calls for peace.

But the peaceful protest moved to the French embassy where the mood turned violent and demonstrators broke windows and pulled down the French flag.

“This situation is completely unacceptable,” said French ambassador Serge Mucetti.

“I ask the government of the Central African Republic to respect the appropriate agreements on this matter. Those who acted in such a manner are enemies of the Central African Republic,” he said.

A student demonstrator at the scene accused France of “not respecting defence agreements” linking the two countries.

The offices of Air France were also attacked, an AFP reporter witnessed.