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Central African Republic president 'ready to share power' with rebels Central African Republic president 'ready to share power' with rebels
(35 minutes later)
François Bozizé, the embattled president of Central African Republic, has said that he was ready to share power with the leaders of a rebellion that has swept aside government defences to come within striking distance of the capital.François Bozizé, the embattled president of Central African Republic, has said that he was ready to share power with the leaders of a rebellion that has swept aside government defences to come within striking distance of the capital.
The three-week old onslaught by the rebel alliance Seleka has highlighted the instability of the landlocked former French colony, which remains one of the least developed nations on the planet despite its rich deposits of uranium, gold and diamonds. The three-week old onslaught by the rebel alliance, Seleka, has highlighted the instability of the landlocked former French colony, which remains one of the world's least developed nations despite rich deposits of uranium, gold and diamonds. "I am ready to form a government of national unity with Seleka to run the country together, because I am a democrat," Bozizé told a news conference after meeting the African Union chairman, Thomas Yayi Boni, in the capital, Bangui.
"I am ready to form a government of national unity with Seleka to run the country together, because I am a democrat," Bozizé told a news conference following a meeting with the African Union chairman, Thomas Yayi Boni, in the capital Bangui. Bozizé said he was ready to attend peace talks being organised by regional leaders in Libreville, Gabon, "without condition and without delay".
He added that he was ready to attend peace talks being organised by regional leaders in Libreville, Gabon, "without condition and without delay". It was unclear if the offer would defuse the crisis, which has posed the biggest threat to Bozizé during almost 10 years in office.
It was unclear if the offer would defuse the crisis, which has posed the biggest threat to Bozizé during his nearly 10 years in office.
A spokesman for the rebels said the group would consider Bozizé's offer, but added its aim was not to join the existing government.A spokesman for the rebels said the group would consider Bozizé's offer, but added its aim was not to join the existing government.
"I take note of his proposals. We need to meet to study them," Seleka spokesman Eric Massi told France 24 television. He said the rebels also wanted to see what guarantees would be made to them. "I take note of his proposals. We need to meet to study them," Seleka spokesman Eric Massi told France 24 television. He said the rebels wanted to see what guarantees would be made to them.
"Know that Seleka's aim today is not to enter into a government but to allow the people of Central African Republic to be able to drive the country towards development and self-fulfillment," he said."Know that Seleka's aim today is not to enter into a government but to allow the people of Central African Republic to be able to drive the country towards development and self-fulfillment," he said.
Seleka, an alliance of three armed groups, accuses Bozizé of failing to honour a 2007 deal under which members who laid down their guns were meant to be paid. It claims to have a force of more than 3,000 men and to be holding positions within 45 miles of Bangui.Seleka, an alliance of three armed groups, accuses Bozizé of failing to honour a 2007 deal under which members who laid down their guns were meant to be paid. It claims to have a force of more than 3,000 men and to be holding positions within 45 miles of Bangui.
The last time rebels reached Bangui was in 2003 during the insurgency that swept Bozizé to power. Residents have either fled or stockpiled food and water in their homes in preparation for a rebel attack.The last time rebels reached Bangui was in 2003 during the insurgency that swept Bozizé to power. Residents have either fled or stockpiled food and water in their homes in preparation for a rebel attack.
"There is a great deal of fear here now, and people are hiding their belongings and seeking safety," said Genael Dongonbo, a student at Bangui University from the northern town of Bambari. "I'd also like to leave, but I have no money and the rebels have already seized my town.""There is a great deal of fear here now, and people are hiding their belongings and seeking safety," said Genael Dongonbo, a student at Bangui University from the northern town of Bambari. "I'd also like to leave, but I have no money and the rebels have already seized my town."
With a government that holds little sway outside the capital, some parts of the country have long endured the consequences of conflicts spilling over from troubled neighbours Chad, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. With a government that holds little sway outside the capital, some parts of the country have long endured the consequences of conflicts spilling over from troubled neighbours Chad, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
CAR is one of a number of countries in the region where US special forces are helping their local counterparts in their efforts to track down the Lord's Resistance Army, a rebel group which has killed thousands of civilians across four nations. The republic is one of a number of countries in the region where US special forces are helping local counterparts in efforts to track down the Lord's Resistance Army, a rebel group which has killed thousands of civilians across four nations.
Regional neighbours agreed on Friday to send more troops to shore up CAR's army after a string of defeats this month, after the French president, François Hollande, rejected Bozizé's plea for western military help last week.Regional neighbours agreed on Friday to send more troops to shore up CAR's army after a string of defeats this month, after the French president, François Hollande, rejected Bozizé's plea for western military help last week.
The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) already has more than 500 peacekeepers in CAR. Officials did not say how many more would be deployed or when they would arrive. The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) already has more than 500 peacekeepers in the country. Officials did not say how many more would be deployed or when they would arrive.
Around 1,200 French nationals live in CAR, mostly working for mining firms and aid groups in the capital. The French defence ministry said Paris had boosted its force in CAR from 250 to nearly 600 troops in recent days, deployed to safeguard French citizens. About 1,200 French nationals live in CAR, mostly working for mining firms and aid groups in the capital. The French defence ministry said Paris had boosted its force in CAR from 250 to nearly 600 troops in recent days, deployed to safeguard French citizens.