Rebels loyal to a former army commander in the Central African Republic claim to have full control of Bangui, the capital. A rebel spokesman said on national radio on Sunday that General François Bozizé is the new president and will soon address the nation. The rebels later on Sunday imposed a curfew from dusk until dawn in Bangui for the next 10 days. The rebels seized the Bangui airport and the presidential palace on Saturday while President Ange Félix Patassé was abroad, and fired at his plane as it approached Bangui, forcing it to divert to Yaoundé in neighboring Cameroon. Mr. Patassé has thwarted a series of coup attempts since his democratic election to the presidency in 1993.
Central African Republic Rebels Have Full Control of the Capital - 2003-03-17
Rebels in the Central African Republic have taken full control of the capital, Bangui, declaring General François Bozizé as the new president. This takeover occurred while President Ange Félix Patassé was out of the country, highlighting ongoing instability in the region. The situation is significant as it reflects the persistent challenges to democratic governance in Central Africa.
👥 Key Players
⚡ Actions
📰 What Happened
Central African Republic rebels claim full control of Bangui, appoint General François Bozizé as president.
- Rebels announce General François Bozizé
- Rebels impose Bangui
- Rebels seize Bangui airport, presidential palace
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The rebels' control of the capital signifies a shift in power dynamics in the Central African Republic.
📝 Key Evidence
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%