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Jacob Zuma: 13 South African soldiers killed in CAR Jacob Zuma: 13 South African soldiers killed in CAR
(about 2 hours later)
Thirteen South African soldiers were killed in the Central African Republic as rebels seized the capital over the weekend, President Jacob Zuma has said.Thirteen South African soldiers were killed in the Central African Republic as rebels seized the capital over the weekend, President Jacob Zuma has said.
Mr Zuma said the South Africans had died in a nine-hour "high-tempo battle" against the "bandits" in Bangui.Mr Zuma said the South Africans had died in a nine-hour "high-tempo battle" against the "bandits" in Bangui.
South Africa had about 200 troops stationed in the city to block Seleka rebels from seizing power.South Africa had about 200 troops stationed in the city to block Seleka rebels from seizing power.
Meanwhile, Cameroon has said that ousted CAR leader Francois Bozize has fled there. Ousted CAR leader Francois Bozize has fled to neighbouring Cameroon, officials there have announced.
The African Union on Monday suspended CAR following the rebel takeover and imposed sanctions on Seleka's leaders. Following the rebel takeover, the African Union has suspended CAR and imposed sanctions on Seleka's leaders.
"The council asks all member states to take the measures necessary to completely isolate the authors of this anti-constitutional change of power," said AU peace and security council chief Ramtane Lamamra, adding that this includes travel restrictions and an asset freeze on Seleka's leaders."The council asks all member states to take the measures necessary to completely isolate the authors of this anti-constitutional change of power," said AU peace and security council chief Ramtane Lamamra, adding that this includes travel restrictions and an asset freeze on Seleka's leaders.
Rebel leader Michel Djotodia said he would uphold a peace accord that promised elections in three years.Rebel leader Michel Djotodia said he would uphold a peace accord that promised elections in three years.
He also said the existing power-sharing government would remain in place. He also said the existing power-sharing government - headed by Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye, an opposition figure - would remain in place.
"We are not here to carry out a witch-hunt," Mr Djotodia told Radio France Internationale (RFI)."We are not here to carry out a witch-hunt," Mr Djotodia told Radio France Internationale (RFI).
Rebel 'surrender'Rebel 'surrender'
Looters and armed gangs roamed the streets of Bangui after Mr Djotodia's forces captured the presidential palace on Sunday.Looters and armed gangs roamed the streets of Bangui after Mr Djotodia's forces captured the presidential palace on Sunday.
Thousands of people have fled CAR into neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon, said United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesperson Fatoumata Jejeune Kaba.Thousands of people have fled CAR into neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon, said United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesperson Fatoumata Jejeune Kaba.
"Before this weekend, we had already received more than 26,000 refugees who are in the province of the Equator [in DR Congo] precisely because of problems and since the advance of Seleka coalition forces," she told BBC Afrique. "Before this weekend, we had already received more than 26,000 refugees who are in the province of the Equator [in DR Congo]," she told BBC Afrique.
Mr Zuma said just over 200 South African troops had battled more than 1,000 "bandits". Mr Zuma said just over 200 South African troops had battled more than 1,000 rebel fighters.
"They fought a high-tempo battle for nine hours defending the South African military base, until the bandits raised a white flag and asked for a ceasefire," he said."They fought a high-tempo battle for nine hours defending the South African military base, until the bandits raised a white flag and asked for a ceasefire," he said.
"Our soldiers inflicted heavy casualties among the attacking bandit forces.""Our soldiers inflicted heavy casualties among the attacking bandit forces."
Thirteen South African troops were killed, 27 wounded and one was unaccounted for, Mr Zuma said.Thirteen South African troops were killed, 27 wounded and one was unaccounted for, Mr Zuma said.
"Our soldiers paid the ultimate price in the service of their country and Africa," Mr Zuma said.
"The actions of these bandits will not deter us from our responsibility of working for peace and stability in Africa and of supporting the prevention of the military overthrow of constitutionally elected governments and thus subverting democracy."
'Mercenaries''Mercenaries'
It was the highest death toll South Africa's army had faced in a single battle since white minority rule ended in 1994, correspondents say.It was the highest death toll South Africa's army had faced in a single battle since white minority rule ended in 1994, correspondents say.
The BBC's Milton Nkosi in Johannesburg says Mr Zuma's government must be worried that one of the most powerful armies in Africa had suffered heavy casualties at the hands of a rebel group.The BBC's Milton Nkosi in Johannesburg says Mr Zuma's government must be worried that one of the most powerful armies in Africa had suffered heavy casualties at the hands of a rebel group.
It was also bewildering that South Africa sent troops to CAR as part of a bilateral agreement with Mr Bozize's government, rather than through the African Union (AU), he says. It was bewildering that South Africa had sent troops to CAR as part of a bilateral agreement with Mr Bozize's government, rather than through the AU, he says.
The South African National Defence Force Union (Sandu), which represents soldiers, said Mr Zuma should recall troops immediately, "even if it entails launching a military offensive to relieve our troops in distress", its national secretary Pikkie Greeff said.The South African National Defence Force Union (Sandu), which represents soldiers, said Mr Zuma should recall troops immediately, "even if it entails launching a military offensive to relieve our troops in distress", its national secretary Pikkie Greeff said.
But Mr Zuma said South Africa had no plan to withdraw its forces. But Mr Zuma said South Africa planned to reinforce its troops in CAR, as there was "no reason" to leave.
"There is no reason for us to leave... We are looking at how to reinforce our forces and how to move forward," he said. South Africa sent 200 troops in January out of a planned deployment of 400, Mr Zuma said.
South Africa had sent 200 troops in January out of a planned deployment of 400, Mr Zuma said.
Last week, Seleka denounced the South African forces as "mercenaries" and demanded their withdrawal.Last week, Seleka denounced the South African forces as "mercenaries" and demanded their withdrawal.
Mr Djotodia told RFI that Seleka would respect the peace deal signed with Mr Bozize in January, AFP reports. Mr Djotodia told RFI that free and fair elections would be held within three years, as outlined in the peace agreement signed with Mr Bozize in January.
Opposition figure Nicolas Tiangaye, who was appointed prime minister of a unity government formed as part of that deal, would remain in the post, he said.
"I met Mr Tiangaye. We have spoken with him," Mr Djotodia is quoted as saying.
He pledged he would hold free and fair elections within three years, as outlined in the deal.
Seleka signed the accord with Mr Bozize in January, in talks brokered by regional leaders.
But the deal collapsed last week when Seleka withdrew its members from the government.But the deal collapsed last week when Seleka withdrew its members from the government.
The group accused Mr Bozize of running a parallel administration and failing to honour key aspects of the deal, including the release of political prisoners.The group accused Mr Bozize of running a parallel administration and failing to honour key aspects of the deal, including the release of political prisoners.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the rebel seizure of power and called for "the swift restoration of constitutional order".UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the rebel seizure of power and called for "the swift restoration of constitutional order".
French President Francois Hollande called for calm, and for the rebels to respect the civilian population. As the rebel forces arrived on the outskirts of Bangui on Saturday, France sent an extra 300 troops to back up its 250 soldiers already there to protect an estimated 1,250 French nationals in the country, AFP reports.
As the rebel forces arrived on the outskirts of Bangui on Saturday, France sent an extra 300 troops to back up the 250 soldiers already there to protect an estimated 1,250 French nationals in the country, AFP reports.
CAR, which has a population of about 4.5 million, has been hit by a series of rebellions since independence from France in 1960.CAR, which has a population of about 4.5 million, has been hit by a series of rebellions since independence from France in 1960.