Wars in the World

Rebels seized the riverside capital of Bangui in fierce fighting on Sunday, forcing President Francois Bozize to flee and sowing confusion over who rules the mineral-rich heart of Africa.

Zuma said the death toll, the worst combat losses for South Africa’s military since 1994, would not interfere with Pretoria’s desire to become a regional power.

“It is a sad moment for our country,” Zuma told a media briefing, adding that another soldier was still missing.

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Mali’s government troops have repulsed an attack by a group of Islamist militants who managed to enter the northern Malian town of Gao, an army official said on Saturday.

According to him, government forces finally defeated the militants after more than two hours of infighting. There was no word on casualties.

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The Seleka rebel coalition on Saturday afternoon entered the northern suburbs of Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic, Xinhua’s staff at the scene reported.

South African troops in Bangui for the military training of local soldiers were quickly retreating to the Presidential Palace in the city, where power supply was cut off hours ago.

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A rebel column advanced on the capital of Central African Republic from the northwest on Saturday, attacking the town of Bossembele and opening a second front for government forces already battling insurgents northeast of Bangui.

A spokesman for the Seleka rebel coalition, which accuses President Francois Bozize of breaking a January peace agreement to integrate its fighters into the army, said its forces had seized control of Bossembele, 160 km (100 miles) northwest of Bangui.

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Rebels in Central African Republic are advancing on the capital, Bangui, after taking the town of Damara on Friday, a rebel spokesman said.

By seizing Damara the rebels crossed the boundary line drawn by regional forces in January, when the same rebel group threatened to take the capital if their demands were not met.

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