CAR fires ambassador to Sudan
2006-04-18 13:27
Bangui - The president of the Central African Republic (CAR) has fired his ambassador to Sudan, suspecting him of supporting rebels involved in an allegedly Sudan-backed coup attempt in neighbouring Chad, say reports on Tuesday.
President Francois Bozize also suspects the ambassador, Pierre-Benjamin N'gregaye, of loyalty to deposed CAR president Ange-Felix Patasse who Bangui accused of supporting rebels involved in recent raids in the northeast of CAR.
CAR foreign minister Jean-Paul Ngoupande said: "Certain diplomatic heads of mission appointed by Patasse display loyalty to him", adding that there was "still contact" between Patasse and N'gregaye.
He said that relations between diplomats and Patasse were "not correct" given the current circumstances.
400 people killed
He added that N'gregaye and other allies of Patasse were linked to an attempted rebellion last week in Chad by the United Front for Change (FUC).
During the uprising, some 400 people were killed in fighting around the Chadian capital, N'Djamena, and a further 150 in clashes near the Sudanese border.
Chad broke off diplomatic relations with Sudan after the coup attempt. It blamed Sudan for supporting the FUC rebels, and on Monday accused it of forming a new rebel army to attack Chad.
The day after the violence in Chad, CAR announced the closure of its borders with Sudan aimed at preventing attacks on Chad from Sudanese territory.
According to military sources, Chadian rebels had twice entered CAR territory, near Birao, in the far northeast of the country, near the Sudanese border, on their way to Chad.
Bozize maintained close relations with Deby, who supported him in his efforts to gain power in 2003. Patasse had been in exile in Togo since a rebellion led by Bozize overthrew him in March that year.