Gun shots, attacks as Central Africans vote

With Rwandan and UN guards in tow, President Faustin-Archange Touadera was one of the earliest to cast their ballots as polls opened in the Central African Republic's presidential and parliamentary elections on Sunday.

Touadera was keen to show his nervous compatriots that the vote was being held despite renewed rebel violence in the countryside.

The rebels are opposed to the exercise. They have called for a transitional government instead.

"I thank President Paul Kagame, the Rwandan government, and the Rwandan people for their support in securing this process, which will allow Central Africans to freely choose their leaders", said Touadera who is seeking re-election.

Rwanda has deployed several hundred troops to the Central African Republic in recent weeks to help thwart what Bangui has called a coup. 

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