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| Central African Republic in turmoil as rebels swarm into capital | Central African Republic in turmoil as rebels swarm into capital |
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| Looters and gunmen roamed the streets of Central African Republic's capital, Bangui, on Tuesday as regional peacekeepers struggled to restore order two days after a coup plunged the mineral-rich country into chaos. | Looters and gunmen roamed the streets of Central African Republic's capital, Bangui, on Tuesday as regional peacekeepers struggled to restore order two days after a coup plunged the mineral-rich country into chaos. |
| The ousting of President Francois Bozize by a coalition of rebel groups known as Seleka, and the political turmoil around the takeover has raised fears of a humanitarian crisis in the former French colony – and embarrassed the regional power South Africa, which sent troops to defend the government. | The ousting of President Francois Bozize by a coalition of rebel groups known as Seleka, and the political turmoil around the takeover has raised fears of a humanitarian crisis in the former French colony – and embarrassed the regional power South Africa, which sent troops to defend the government. |
| Thousands of Seleka fighters poured into the capital on Sunday, brushing aside a 400-strong South African force which tried to block their path. At least 13 South African soldiers were killed and 27 wounded. | Thousands of Seleka fighters poured into the capital on Sunday, brushing aside a 400-strong South African force which tried to block their path. At least 13 South African soldiers were killed and 27 wounded. |
| On Monday, rebel leader and self-proclaimed president, Michel Djotodia – who had accused Bozize of breaking past peace accords – asked regional peacekeepers in the country to help him restore order. | On Monday, rebel leader and self-proclaimed president, Michel Djotodia – who had accused Bozize of breaking past peace accords – asked regional peacekeepers in the country to help him restore order. |
| But sporadic gunfire continued to ring out across the sprawling riverside capital, home to 600,000 people. For a fourth day running, the city was without electricity. | But sporadic gunfire continued to ring out across the sprawling riverside capital, home to 600,000 people. For a fourth day running, the city was without electricity. |
| "We have been patrolling for two days in an effort to stop the pillaging," a senior officer from the roughly 1,000-strong five-nation regional force Fomac told Reuters. | "We have been patrolling for two days in an effort to stop the pillaging," a senior officer from the roughly 1,000-strong five-nation regional force Fomac told Reuters. |
| "Things are slowly getting better but we are far from being able to say things are normal," he added. | "Things are slowly getting better but we are far from being able to say things are normal," he added. |
| Fomac commanders have been trying to persuade Seleka leaders to get their fighters – a ragtag group of mostly northern rebels, many of them children – off the streets and into barracks amid concerns they were responsible for some of the looting. | Fomac commanders have been trying to persuade Seleka leaders to get their fighters – a ragtag group of mostly northern rebels, many of them children – off the streets and into barracks amid concerns they were responsible for some of the looting. |
| Djotodia pledged to name a power-sharing government and to set elections after three years in an attempt to defuse international criticism of the coup. | Djotodia pledged to name a power-sharing government and to set elections after three years in an attempt to defuse international criticism of the coup. |
| The removal of Bozize, who himself seized power in a coup backed by Chad in 2003, was the latest of many rebellions since the poor, landlocked country won independence from France in 1960. Bozize has fled to neighbouring Cameroon. | The removal of Bozize, who himself seized power in a coup backed by Chad in 2003, was the latest of many rebellions since the poor, landlocked country won independence from France in 1960. Bozize has fled to neighbouring Cameroon. |
| As rebels approached, France made it clear it would not intervene; Paris has long said that its days as "Africa's policeman" have passed. | |
| Bozize turned instead to South Africa, which has been trying to boost its influence in the resource-rich territory. | |
| "This is a complete disaster for South Africa," said Thierry Vircoulon, Central African specialist at the International Crisis Group. "They did not at all understand they were backing the wrong horse. They did not consult within the region." | "This is a complete disaster for South Africa," said Thierry Vircoulon, Central African specialist at the International Crisis Group. "They did not at all understand they were backing the wrong horse. They did not consult within the region." |
| Seleka took a series of towns and came close to the capital last year, after accusing Bozize of failing to honour an earlier peace deal to give its fighters cash and jobs in exchange for laying down their arms. | Seleka took a series of towns and came close to the capital last year, after accusing Bozize of failing to honour an earlier peace deal to give its fighters cash and jobs in exchange for laying down their arms. |
| Chad and other regional powers sent in troops to back the government and that revolt ended in a January peace accord. | Chad and other regional powers sent in troops to back the government and that revolt ended in a January peace accord. |
| Seleka last week said the government had again failed to implement agreements – to incorporate its fighters into the army and get the foreign troops withdrawn – and started a lightning advance on Bangui. | Seleka last week said the government had again failed to implement agreements – to incorporate its fighters into the army and get the foreign troops withdrawn – and started a lightning advance on Bangui. |
| Despite rich deposits of gold, diamonds and uranium, the Central African Republic remains one of the world's least developed nations. | Despite rich deposits of gold, diamonds and uranium, the Central African Republic remains one of the world's least developed nations. |