Several S African soldiers killed in CAR capital

Several South African soldiers have lost their lives in clashes with rebels at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Central African Republic’s capital, Bangui.

“Following the engagement that we had… there were some casualties from both sides,” army spokesman Brigadier General Xolani Mabanga said. He did not provide precise figures about the casualties.

South African radio station SAFM, however, reported that more than nine South African soldiers had been killed and several others injured.

Some 200 soldiers from South Africa were deployed to Central Africa in January to support the government troops against the offensive launched by the Seleka fighters in early December.

On Sunday, Seleka fighters took control of the capital city following heavy fighting.

The fighters also seized the presidential palace in the capital and forced President Francois Bozize to flee to neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Hostilities in the CAR resumed last week after the Seleka accused Bozize of breaking an earlier peace deal.

On January 11, the president and representatives of the Seleka fighters signed an agreement in Libreville after three days of negotiations brokered by regional neighbors.

Under the deal, some opposition figures and Seleka coalition members were given a number of key posts in the government.

The Seleka fighters launched an offensive against the government in December 2012.

France has also sent some 350 troops to the Central African Republic to counter the Seleka fighters.

There are many mineral resources, including gold and diamonds, in the Central African Republic. However, the country is extremely poor and has faced a series of rebellions and coups since it gained independence in 1960.