Below is a round-up of news from several sources regarding the situation in the Central African Republic. Opposition rebels have been working their way across the country. Continue to pray for this situation. American missionaries have been evacuated, but African Christians remain.
BBC News
Central African Republic crisis: Bozize offer rejected
Rebels in Central African Republic have dismissed the president’s offer to form a national unity government.
“We don’t believe in [Francois] Bozize’s promises,” rebel spokesman Eric Massi told the BBC.
He accused the security forces of attacking members of ethnic groups seen as rebel sympathisers – the government has previously denied such claims.
The rebels have seized several towns as they advance on the capital, Bangui, in recent weeks.
Washington Post
Central African Republic rebels dismiss calls for negotiations by African Union
BANGUI, Central African Republic — Rebels in the Central African Republic on Monday rejected appeals for them to halt their advances and to negotiate to form a coalition government.
The rebels had been urged Sunday by the visiting leader of the African Union and by President Francois Bozize to stop seizing cities and preparing to attack the capital, Bangui. The Seleka rebels have taken 10 cities in Central African Republic’s north in the past three weeks and have moved within striking distance of the capital, Bangui, a city of 600,000.
AU president Thomas Boni Yayi, who is the president of Benin, called on the rebels to enter into negotiations with the aim of forming a government of national unity. Bozize also appealed to the Seleka rebels to halt their advances and said he would agree to bring them into the government.
But the rebels on Monday said they did not trust Bozize’s offer.
Aljazeera
Central African rebels weigh coalition offer
Central African Republic rebels have met with the head of the African Union and have said they are ready to consider a coalition offer, but added that their aim is not to join the government.
A spokesman for the rebel group Seleka said on Sunday, “Know that Seleka’s aim today is not to enter into a government but to allow the people of Central African Republic to be able to drive the country towards development and self-fulfillment.”
Embattled President Francois Bozize said he was ready to share power with the leaders of a rebellion that has swept aside government defences to within striking distance of the capital.
“I am ready to form a government of national unity with [the rebels] to run the country together, because I am a democrat,” Bozize told a news conference following a meeting with African Union Chairman Thomas Yayi Boni in the capital, Bangui.