Seleka rebels will take key town in CAR: rebel spokesman
Date 2013/1/1 12:40:38 | Topic: Central African Republic
| Seleka spokesman Eric Massi told AFP on Monday that the rebel coalition will take the town of Damara, located in the southern prefecture of Ombella-M'Poko.
He stated that "a column of eight vehicles has left Damara to attack our positions in Sibut," which is 100 kilometers to the northeast of the key town.
"We are going to neutralize that column as we always do, and we are going to secure Damara," he added.
He also called for CAR President Francois Bozizé Yangouvonda to step down.
"Bozize must go… It is clear. We are demanding his exit, that he step down… There is no longer any doubt that the sincerity of the promises made by Francois Bozize is not real," Massi stated.
Massi did not make any comments on the CAR president’s offer of talks.
On December 30, Bozize voiced readiness to share power with Seleka rebel leaders.
“I am ready to form a government of national unity with Seleka to run the country together because I am a democrat,” Bozize said on Sunday.
Also on Monday, CAR opposition figure Martin Ziguele said the president has a "credibility problem."
"The problem is Mr. Bozize's promises. He makes promises and doesn't keep them," Ziguele said.
Over the past three weeks, the rebels have managed to advance to within 160 kilometers (100 miles) of the CAR capital Bangui.
Meanwhile, Congo-Brazzaville has deployed 120 troops to Bangui to operate "within the framework of the mandate laid out by the Economic Community of Central African States," according to a Congolese Foreign Ministry statement issued in Brazzaville.
There are many mineral resources, including gold and diamonds, in the Central African Republic. However, the country’s population is extremely poor and has faced a series of rebellions and coups since it gained independence in 1960.
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