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2013-04-17 Africa Subsaharan
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Violence and looting in CAR capital as former rebels force 'disarmament'
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[OBSERVERS.FRANCE24] The capital of the Central African Republic, Bangui, was rocked by festivities between Seleka forces (the new coalition in power) and locals during the weekend of April 13 and 14. Residents living in the affected areas claim the new government's disarmament operation has become a pretext for Seleka troops to pillage the population.
Saturday's violence coincided with the presidential inauguration of Michel Djotodia, leader of the Seleka rebellion that ousted president François Bozizé. Unelected, he has claimed the title for the next eighteen months. Seleka rebels seized the capital on March 24 and some have since been appointed ministers in the new government.
The new president has said he is committed to carrying out the so-called 'DDR' process: disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration, which mainly targets former soldiers loyal to Bozizé.
This process lies at the heart of last weekend's violence: Bangui residents refuse to acknowledge the Seleka rebels' authority and accuse them of using the disarmament drive as an excuse for widespread looting.
A first wave of looting had already taken place immediately after the Seleka rebels' coup in March. According to the Red Thingy, at least 119 people died and 456 were maimed. Last weekend, three areas of the capital were particularly badly hit by violence. On Saturday and Sunday, shots were fired between local residents and coalition patrols in the eastern neighbourhoods of Ouango and Ngaragba while, also on Sunday, pillaging in the northern neighbourhood of Boy Rabé led to heightened tensions between locals and Seleka forces.
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Posted by Fred 2013-04-17 00:00||
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Posted by Thing From Snowy Mountain 2013-04-17 10:33||
2013-04-17 10:33||
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