Battle of Bangui


Battle of Bangui took part during 2012 civil war in Central African Republic and resulted in Séléka taking power in Central African Republic. With Central African Republic army and international soldiers absent, most of resistance was raised by South African soldiers.

Background

On 18 March 2013, the rebels, having taken over Gambo and Bangassou, threatened to take up arms again if their demands for the release of political prisoners, the integration of their forces into the national army and for South African soldiers to leave the country were not met within 72 hours. Three days later, they took control of the towns of Damara and Bossangoa.

Battle

At 23 March Séléka rebels entered Bangui's outskirts. On 7 pm Christian Narkoyo, spokesman of Séléka announced that rebel forces crossed PK12 neighborhood with little resistance. Rebels cut electricity from city by turning off Bouali power plant. In reaction to rebel advancement French forces secured Bangui airport. On 8:15 am 24 March fightings erupted in center of city. On 8:48 Djouma Narkoyo announced that rebels have captured presidential palace reporting that president Bozizé have fled before. Soldiers from Multinational Force of Central Africa were deployed to protect foreign embassies and French soldiers participated in securing the city to avoid looting. By 12:00 it was announced that rebels control entire city with only some pockets of resistance remaining. On 18:31 Michel Djotodia declared himself new president of the country