Central African Republic
Fighting erupts in Bangui, Central African Republic

Misanet.com / IRIN, 5 November - Fighting erupted in the Central African Republic (CAR) capital, Bangui, early Saturday morning when government soldiers tried to arrest former army chief General Francois Bozize for alleged involvement in the failed coup of 28 May, news agencies reported.

On Sunday, AP reported a resident as saying that at least one woman had been killed by a stray bullet, while a hospital employee said two children were seriously wounded, one with a bullet in the chest and another by flying shrapnel. Residents were reported to be fleeing, but precise numbers and locations were unavailable on Monday.

Multiple efforts to negotiate a peaceful resolution have been undertaken by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's special envoy to the CAR, retired Senegalese army General Lamine Cisse, and by a committee of elders from Ouame prefecture, Bozize's home region. 

On Sunday, Bozize loyalists were reported by AP to have advanced a few miles south from his home in the north of Bangui, armed with rifles, rocket launchers and mortars. They succeeded in taking the strategic Ngola bridge, which links the northern and southern parts of the city and was previously held by the presidential guard. 

Witnesses told AP that Bozize's soldiers seemed to be moving toward Patassé's residence, and were within 2.4 km of the presidential villa by Sunday night. Libyan troops, flown in to put down the May coup attempt, were reported to be guarding Patassé's residence.

Presidential guard units, meanwhile, moved armoured cars and tanks into Bangui's streets, which AP reports to have remained deserted since Saturday.

The warrant for Bozize's arrest was issued by a joint commission of inquiry investigating the failed May coup, following the discovery of armaments in three private homes in Bangui. 

Bozize's supporters, members of his Gbaya ethnic group, told AFP that they are suspicious of what they term "political manoeuvres" against their leader and fear for his physical safety, especially as the attempt to arrest him came after the official announcement of the arms caches discoveries. 

AFP quoted one official source as saying: "It's not clear if there is a direct link between these weapons and General Bozize."

Bozize was dismissed from the military on 26 October without explanation, as part of a major reshuffle of senior army posts. Bozize told Reuters that he had no links with the attempted May coup. The CAR ministers of defence and security were dismissed in August. 

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