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CAR

Central African Republic: Rebels control Ndelé, more attacks in north

"The city of Ndelé has fallen to the rebels yesterday at dawn", aid missionary sources to MISNA speaking from Bangui. "We understand that an armed group attacked the city when it was still dark and that the army backed down, moving south" said the sources, adding that the newspapers in the Central African Republic (CAR) are reporting that the city of Birao has also been attacked and that two French aid workers have been kidnapped.

The 'Centrafrique Matin' daily says that the attacks have been perpetrated by the 'Convention of patriots for Justice and Peace' (CPJP) led by former colonel Charles Massi. The army says that at least 15 people were killed in the fighting, some of whom were civilian bystanders. "The rebels, who were wearing military uniforms, arrived from the road to Kaga Bandoro - said a military official to the press - which leads us to believe that they could have been friendly forces. Only when they started shooting did we realize they were rebels".

The army denied that the group captured, sa claimed, the local prefect, general Andre Mazi, confirming, nevertheless, that the rebels stole his car when he and his men went into the forest. Massi had been prime minister during the presidency of former head of state Ange Felix Patassé; he also served as minister in the cabinet of the current president of CAR Francois Bozizé.

Massi had been arrested and then released by Chadian authorities a few months ago along the border between the two countries. Massi's formation has not signed any peace accords with the government of CAR, accusing it of having 'failed to suggest a serious and credible negotiation". [AB]