President Jacob Zuma has stated that Thirteen South African soldiers were killed in the Central African Republic when rebels seized the capital over the weekend.
South Africa had about 200 troops stationed in the Central Africa Republic to block the Seleka rebels from seizing power but was overrun by the rebels.
President Zuma said just over 200 South African troops had battled more than 1,000 rebel fighters for over nine hours in an attempt to stop them from taking the capital.
“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, our soldiers inflicted heavy casualties among the attacking bandit forces”, he said.
Thirteen South African troops were killed, 27 wounded and one was unaccounted for, President Zuma added.
The South African National Defence Force Union (SANDU), which represents soldiers, said President Zuma should recall troops from the Central African Republic immediately.
“Even if it entails launching a military offensive to relieve our troops in distress, we should do it to bring them home’’ national secretary Pikkie Greeff told reporters.
But President Zuma said South Africa planned to reinforce its troops in the country, as there was no reason to leave the country for the rebels.
South Africa sent 200 troops in January this year out of a planned deployment of 400 troops through a bilateral agreement with ousted President Francois Bozize.
The Seleka rebels are made up of 3 different rebels group who have formed an alliance to overthrow the government in a dramatic manner.
President Francois Bozize has fled to neighboring Cameroon for his safety, according to Cameroonian officials thereby putting the rumors to rest that he is the DR. Congo.
The African Union has officially suspended the country and imposed sanctions on the rebels’ leaders and asked all member states to cut all ties with them.
“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.
Central Africa Republic Crisis:Rebels suspend constitution
Meanwhile, the leader of the rebels Michel Djotodia says he is suspending the constitution and dissolving parliament with immediate effect.
Mr. Djotodia said here would be a transition period until credible and transparent elections but at the moment he will rule by decree until 3 years when there will be elections.
“I consider it necessary to suspend the November 27, 2004 constitution, to dissolve parliament as well as the government,” Mr. Djotodia said in a statement to reporters.
“During this transition period which will lead us to free, credible and transparent elections, I will legislate by decree.”
“We will lead the people of Central African Republic during a three-year transition period, in accordance with the Libreville Accord”, he added.
However, another rebel leader, Nelson N’Djadder, reportedly told the Associated Press news agency that he did not recognize Mr. Djotodia as the new leader of the Central Africa Republic.
“We had agreed that we would push to Bangui in order to arrest Bozize and that we would then announce an 18-month transition, a transition that would be as fast as possible and not one that would last three years,” Mr N’Djadder told AP from Paris.
Many political analyst in Africa believe that the rebels have just open the flood gates of confusion as rebels always fell out with each other which is likely to prolong the crisis and make it a long conflict.
Issaka Adams / NationalTurk Africa News
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