Séléka

The SELEKA ( Sango for Alliance) is a coalition of several Muslim rebel groups in the Central African Republic. It was constituted in August 2012 from the Union of Democratic Forces pour le rassemblement ( UFDR ) and the Convention of patriotes pour la justice et la paix ( CPJP ). Both groups had previously made ​​peace agreements with the government. In March 2013, it staged a coup against the government of President François Bozizé, who fled abroad. In response to the ravages of SELEKA, Christian militias have established under the collective term anti - Balaka. Both groups fight bloody.

Offensive from December 2012 to January 2013

In a letter dated 12 December 2012, the SELEKA threatened - now merged with the Convention des Patriotes pour le Salut du Kodro ( CPSK ) - the government of President François Bozizé, who was 2003 passes through a military coup to power with a coup, should they fail to fulfill their demands. Among other things, the implementation of the peace treaty with the UFDR was criticized. From December 10th to the SELEKA was able to record great military successes and continues to advance towards the capital Bangui in the following weeks. On December 10 Ndélé was taken on December 23 Bambari, on 29 December Sibut.

On December 27th Bozizé turned to the former colonial power France and the United States of America and asked for support against the encroachment of SELEKA. At this time, 250 French soldiers were stationed in the Central African Republic. France had already 2006, the government supported the action against insurgents with air strikes. French President François Hollande declared on the same day his rejection of interference and protection of government Bozizé. The troops stationed served to protect French citizens. Approx. 1200 Frenchmen were living at that time in the Central African Republic. In the following two days, France sent another 150 soldiers to Bangui. The U.S. had stationed since the end of 2011 about 100 Special Forces as a military advisor to combat the Lord's Resistance Army in the region that operated next to the Central African Republic and Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. On December 27, the U.S. sent about 50 more soldiers to Chad. These should be used for the evacuation of U.S. citizens, especially diplomats from the Central African Republic.

At a meeting in Gabon on 28 December, representatives of the States of the Central African Economic Community agreed on sending troops to intervene in the Central African Republic. Then posted to early January in Gabon, Cameroon and Congo - Brazzaville each about 120 soldiers. In a release dated January 2, 2013 Reuters spoke of now 600 French soldiers in the republic.

On 2 January 2013, the SELEKA announced for the time being not to attack Bangui. She was ready for peace talks under the leadership of the Central African Economic Community. As announced on January 6, South African President Jacob Zuma to deploy up to 400 soldiers in the Central African Republic allowed early January. Approx. 200 soldiers were dispatched to 8 January.

Ceasefire and participation in government

On the evening of the 7th of January, representatives of the SELEKA in Libreville, Gabon's capital and seat of the Central African Economic Community, a to the negotiations. Chairman of the Delegation was Michel Djotodia. On January 11, a temporary, one-week cease-fire agreement was signed. Besides UFDR, CPJP and CPSK this agreement also leads the Union des forces Républicaines ( UFR ) as a member of the SELEKA. The SELEKA waived the requirement for a withdrawal Bozizé, but the government should be reformed within that week, with an oppositionist had become prime minister. On January 17, the human rights activist Nicolas Tiangaye was appointed Prime Minister, who should make the other government. On February 3, but gave President Bozizé the appointment of new ministers known. Also leading the people SELEKA received this ministerial posts. Mohamed Dhaffane, as Minister General of the selected SELEKA, declared his displeasure with the concrete cabinet reshuffle by the President.

Breaking of the ceasefire and renewed offensive in March 2013

The SELEKA was not satisfied about their ministries granted competences and the continued presence of foreign intervention forces in the country. The five ministers of SELEKA went on 17 March 2013 following Sibut and returned not yet in the capital back. On the same day the SELEKA presented a three-day ultimatum in which they demanded, among other things, the release of captured members of SELEKA. On March 20, the President of the end state of emergency, the dissolution of all roadblocks and the release of all political prisoners ordered though, in an immediate reaction, however, was not. The SELEKA announced the same day to the ceasefire and started to fight again. The following day she first took the villages Bouka and Batangafo one in the north of the country. On March 22, succeeded in SELEKA to keep only 70 km away from the capital city Damara under their control.

On the evening of March 23, several hundred SELEKA rebels arrived in Bangui and supplied themselves fighting with government forces. Just a day earlier to be advanced toward Bangui at least 2,000 insurgents. Until the morning of March 24 brought the troops SELEKA Bangui after heavy fighting largely under their control, including the presidential palace. South African soldiers who had fought on the side of the government troops around the capital, fought for nine hours off with heavy losses for both sides attacks of SELEKA associations and finally agreed to a ceasefire offered to. President Bozizé was at that time on the flight to Cameroon. Djotodia then agreed to the presidency and dissolved the SELEKA on.