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| Africa Subsaharan |
| 13 South African soldiers killed in CAR capital |
| 2013-03-26 |
| [Iran Press TV] At least 13 South African soldiers have lost their lives in clashes with rebels at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Central African Republic's capital, Bangui. "During the battle 13 of our soldiers fell, one is unaccounted for," President Jacob Zuma said on Monday. Pilots will have to coordinate takeoff and landing by themselves after April 7 using a shared radio channel. Some 200 soldiers from South Africa were deployed to Central Africa in January to support the government troops against the offensive launched by the Seleka fighters in early December. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #3 ....the rumour mill in South Africa has it that the soldiers were never really there to protect Bozize as their primary mission, but rather to safeguard South African mining interests and to counter French influence in the region. Say it isn't so. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2013-03-26 11:46 |
| #2 President Zuma's remarks. Plus this information: Reports out of South Africa, however, describe the 200 SADF soldiers as paratroopers and Special Forces, not trainers. Their engagement over the weekend with over 1000 rebel troops advancing on the city apparently proved too much for them; it is now unclear what will happen. According to an unconfirmed UN source in Bangui (as reported by Reuters) SADF had asked the French for assistance in leaving the country. Additionally, the rumour mill in South Africa has it that the soldiers were never really there to protect Bozize as their primary mission, but rather to safeguard South African mining interests and to counter French influence in the region. If that is the case then the irony of asking the French for help to depart will certainly not be lost on the critics. Apparently being a power-broker is proving to be harder than expected. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2013-03-26 11:32 |
| #1 It is my understanding that professional intelligence reporting was ignored in favour of so-called external subject matter experts who provided free advice and training. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2013-03-26 01:50 |