Central African Republic
Central African loyal troops retake Bangui

afrol News, 30 October - Troops loyal to President Ange-Felix Patassé have retaken most of the capital of the Central African Republic, Bangui. The President himself, however, has not been seen for days. There is still fighting going north of the capital.

The loyal government troops have been aided by soldiers from Libya and Congo Kinshasa (DRC), which are in the country to protect President Patassé. After the rebels on Sunday entered Bangui, there were concerns the capital might fall to the rebel troops. 

An offensive by the loyalists however managed to drive the rebels out of their stronghold of northern Bangui, sources in the city say. There are differing reports on whether the capital had been completely retaken. Some reports indicate there may remain a pocket of rebel-held areas in the northern part of the centre, cut off from other rebel troops, which is making fierce resistance.

Libyan troops had been decisive in the government offensive. In addition to the 200 Libyan elite soldiers permanently stationed in Bangui, Libyan fighter jets had come from Tripoli and were shelling rebel positions during the last days. 

Meanwhile, the whereabouts of President Patassé remain unsure. He has not made a public appearance since the beginning of the rebel insurgence and there have been reports of fighting around his official residence. Government spokesman, Gabriel Koyambounou, however today claimed the President was unhurt and in command of the situation. Mr Patassé and his family had successfully fled the presidential residence, but were reported to be in Bangui.

The fighting in and around Bangui seem to have produced a large number of casualties among troops from both camps and among civilians. At least 50,000 city residents have also been displaced by the fighting, most of them within the capital city. Supplies in Bangui, which has been cut off from its agricultural surrounding for several days, are also reported to be dangerously low.

Meanwhile, the leader of the rebel forces, the Central African Republic's former Chief of Staff, Francois Bozize, is reported to be back in France, where he is exiled. French government speaker Francois Rivasseau confirmed General Bozize's arrival in Paris from Chad yesterday.

General Bozize is a well-known trouble-maker in the Central African Republic. After continuous pressure against the civilian government of President Patassé, including the alleged participation in a failed May 2001 coup, the army chief was sacked one year ago. Continued threats by the General led to his exile in Chad - where he only seems to have gathered strength to make a violent comeback. 

The Central African government accused Chad of having assisted General Bozize in his build-up of troops. Fact is that the General's troop had entered into the country from his earlier Chadian exile. The escalation of the war-of-words between Chad and the Central African Republic threatens to undermine the recent understanding reached by these two neighbours.

The Chadian government meanwhile has denied any involvement in the fighting. On the contrary, it had sought to expel General Bozize from its territory, something that was confirmed by the French government. Mr Rivasseau of the French Foreign Ministry further assured measures were to be taken to prevent the general from using France as a base to destabilise his country. 

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