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| Central African Republic rebels advance as US embassy shuts | Central African Republic rebels advance as US embassy shuts |
| (4 months later) | |
| Fears that rebels will seize control of the Central African Republic's capital are growing, as the US closed its embassy in the country, citing concerns about the security of the personnel. The US ambassador and about 40 diplomats were evacuated from Bangui early on Friday . | Fears that rebels will seize control of the Central African Republic's capital are growing, as the US closed its embassy in the country, citing concerns about the security of the personnel. The US ambassador and about 40 diplomats were evacuated from Bangui early on Friday . |
| The UN security council expressed concern, after about a dozen towns fell to the Séléka rebel coalition within the last two weeks, in one of sub-Saharan Africa's most coup-prone republics. "The members of the security council reiterate their demand that the armed groups immediately cease hostilities, withdraw from captured cities and cease any further advance towards the city of Bangui," it said. | The UN security council expressed concern, after about a dozen towns fell to the Séléka rebel coalition within the last two weeks, in one of sub-Saharan Africa's most coup-prone republics. "The members of the security council reiterate their demand that the armed groups immediately cease hostilities, withdraw from captured cities and cease any further advance towards the city of Bangui," it said. |
| The rebels – dissident fighters from former opposition groups in the chronically unstable but mineral-rich country – said they would topple the government unless it honoured the terms of a peace agreement. The group, whose name means coalition, has claimed that its actions are justified in light of the "thirst for justice, for peace, for security and for economic development of the people of Central African Republic". | The rebels – dissident fighters from former opposition groups in the chronically unstable but mineral-rich country – said they would topple the government unless it honoured the terms of a peace agreement. The group, whose name means coalition, has claimed that its actions are justified in light of the "thirst for justice, for peace, for security and for economic development of the people of Central African Republic". |
| It also opposes plans by President François Bozizé – who seized power after a brief war but has since won two elections – to seek a third term in office. | It also opposes plans by President François Bozizé – who seized power after a brief war but has since won two elections – to seek a third term in office. |
| But there was confusion about the rebels' intentions, as both sides accused each other of breaking the terms of former agreements. Despite an earlier promise not to attack Bangui, the group has advanced ever closer to the capital in recent days, while also stating its willingness to engage in talks. | But there was confusion about the rebels' intentions, as both sides accused each other of breaking the terms of former agreements. Despite an earlier promise not to attack Bangui, the group has advanced ever closer to the capital in recent days, while also stating its willingness to engage in talks. |
| There were reports that the foreign minister, Antoine Gambi, has arrived in Gabon, prompting speculation that further negotiations might be imminent. | There were reports that the foreign minister, Antoine Gambi, has arrived in Gabon, prompting speculation that further negotiations might be imminent. |
| "The United States encourages all parties in the Central African Republic to participate in the dialogue," said the state department, in a statement. | "The United States encourages all parties in the Central African Republic to participate in the dialogue," said the state department, in a statement. |
| Bozizé and other members of the Central African Republic government have issued increasingly desperate pleas for help, calling on France to deploy troops to oust the rebels. France, the colonial power in CAR until 1960, has 250 troops in the country, but said it would not intervene in the conflict. | Bozizé and other members of the Central African Republic government have issued increasingly desperate pleas for help, calling on France to deploy troops to oust the rebels. France, the colonial power in CAR until 1960, has 250 troops in the country, but said it would not intervene in the conflict. |
| President François Hollande prompted anger earlier this week, stating that the role of French troops would be confined to protecting the French embassy, which was attacked by protestors earlier this week. | President François Hollande prompted anger earlier this week, stating that the role of French troops would be confined to protecting the French embassy, which was attacked by protestors earlier this week. |
| There are also reports that French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, spoke on the phone with Bozizé, asking the president to take responsibility for the safety of French nationals and diplomatic missions in CAR. The French nuclear company Areva has a uranium mine in the country, which also exports diamonds and timber. | There are also reports that French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, spoke on the phone with Bozizé, asking the president to take responsibility for the safety of French nationals and diplomatic missions in CAR. The French nuclear company Areva has a uranium mine in the country, which also exports diamonds and timber. |
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