Central African Republic gripped
by Turmoil
Early
Tuesday morning the Seleka Alliance launched a full fledge attack on the
Central African Republic mining town of Bria. They were able to repel
government troops and seize control of the town. This is the fourth town that
has fallen to the rebel alliance in the last two weeks and is representing some
serious problems for the Central African Republic.
This is
the most recent advancement in the two-week-old rebel offensive seeking to
overturn the CAR government, led by President Francois Bozize. The Seleka
Alliance is made up of three rebel groups who have been passive since a
ceasefire was signed in 2007. The reason for the new upheaval is an accusation
made by the groups that President Bozize has violated terms of the ceasefire.
With the situation slipping out of control, Bozize requested help from northern
neighbor Chad who promptly sent troops to reclaim Bria. This is not the first
time Chad has helped the Central African Republic nor Bozize. President Bozize
himself came to power with a successful coupe in 2002 with the aid of Chad.
Bozize remained in power by winning the presidential elections in 2005 and
2011. To stop the uprising in 2007 Bozize agreed to release political prisoners
and make payments to the rebel group. He has not met either of these agreements
leading to the recent violence.
Bria is a
diamond-mining town, which supports a large portion of the CAR’s economy. With
its capture the Seleka alliance are affectively blocking major trade routes as
well as disrupting the cultivation of one of CAR’s main resources. The alliance
has have vowed to continue its offensive until the terms of the original
ceasefire have been met.
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