President of the Central African Republic Francois Bozize speaks to the media at the presidential palace in Bangui, Central African Republic Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. The embattled president of Central African Republic says he is prepared to listen to the country's rebels in negotiations if they have something positive to say, telling journalists Tuesday that "if the terrorists come to talk terrorism, the whole world will know it." (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Central African Republic rebels threaten new fight
Published: 01:41:48 PM, Mon 18 March 2013 UTC
BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) — A coalition of rebel groups in Central African Republic is threatening to take up arms again if the government doesn't meet its demands.
The coalition, known as Seleka, signed a peace agreement with the government in January but already that accord is showing signs of strain.
Col. Sylvain Bordas, a Seleka spokesman, said Monday that "we will not hesitate to take up arms again" if their conditions are not met within 72 hours.
In December, the rebels swept through the northern half of the country, claiming control of a number of strategic towns across the country.
The deal signed two months ago allows President Francois Bozize to finish his term in office in 2016.
Last week, though, rebels seized control of two towns, threatening to undo the country's fragile peace.
Tags:
ap, central african republic, president francois bozize, culture_politics, monday, control, demands, american civil war, signs, number, deal, coalition, country, arms, conditions, government, strain, rebellion, democratic republic of the congo, accord, rebel groups, northern half, peace agreement, françois bozizé, bangui, ange-félix patassé, new fight, african republic rebels, fragile peace, col. sylvain bordas, seleka spokesman, strategic towns, david dacko
