Peace and Conflict in the Heart of Africa
Rebels took the Central African Republic town of Birao Monday, saying they will remain in control of the area until they are ready to mount an offensive on the capital, Bangui. Officials in the capital have called on friendly international institutions for help putting down the revolt, which they believe emerged from the neighboring region of Darfur (although the rebels claim no connection to Sudan). A rebel spokesperson said that no civilians were killed in the attack and that many government forces have asked to join the rebels. The Central African Republic closed its border with Sudan in April after rebels crossed from Darfur into nearby Chad to attack that country's capital. Meanwhile, a chaotic round of skirmishes continues in eastern Chad, to the north of Birao and also just across the border from Darfur. Forty were killed and about 100 injured in a fight for the town of Am Timan last week, and now the rebels have engaged the government at another town, Saraf Bogou, according to a government statement Sunday. In both Chad and the Central African Republic, the rebel groups claim to be fighting to overthrow the governments that maintain dubious claims to their country's leadership. The Central African Republic's president took power in a 2002-2003 rebellion, and Chad's president announced in 2004 that he would override the constitution's two-term limit and run for re-election. To further complicate matters, the Sudanese air force appears to have targeted four towns on Chad's side of the border Friday, "destroying houses and tranquil lives of Chadians,” according to a Chadian spokesperson. Relations between the two countries had broken down after the assault on Chad's capital in April, though they were on better terms of late--until Friday's apparent assault. In the midst of all this are 12 camps in eastern Chad housing 220,000 refugees from Darfur. Though the fighting is taking place near many of the camps, aid agencies have said their operations have not been adversely affected as of yet. Some 50,000 Chadians have also fled their homes as a result of fighting this year. The UN is sending an assessment mission to Chad and the Central African Republic to determine whether their presence is needed in the two countries feeling the spillover effects from Sudan's civil war in Darfur. U.S.-based groups, including Africa Action and Refugees International, continue to press for international peacekeepers for Darfur. "Without a peacekeeping mission on the ground there will not be enough security to foster a lasting peace agreement," said Africa Action in a statement organizing a public support vigil in New York City Tuesday. The group has sponsored vigils every week in October. The U.S. administration and its Special Envoy in Sudan, Andrew Natsios, have still not successfully utilized their numerous leverage points to pressure the Sudanese government to accept international peacekeepers, the group has said. A public sign-on letter is calling on Natsios and other U.S. officials to take stronger action immediately. More on Sudan, Chad, and the Central African Republic: Central African Republic: Gov't Pleads for Help as Rebels Capture Key Town Chad: Fighting on Two Fronts in Chaotic East More on Congo Vote: Congolese Voted in Peace AllAfrica.com: Ongoing Coverage of Congo's Election As Country Awaits Results, Humanitarian Needs in Spotlight |
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