Central African Republic's ex-president Bozizé investigated for 'rebellion'

An investigation has been opened into the Central African Republic's former president François Bozizé, accusing him of acts of rebellion during the presidential election on December 27, prosecutors said on Monday.

Bozizé was last month accused by the government of staging an attempted coup after a coalition of rebels marched on the capital, Bangui, before the vote. Bozizé denied the allegations but said he sided with the rebels.

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Bozizé returned to the Central African Republic after he was forced from power and fled abroad in 2013.

He held office for a decade before he was ousted by a coalition of mainly Muslim armed groups, the Seleka.

An international arrest warrant issued by Central African authorities in 2013 accuses Bozizé of “crimes against humanity and incitement of genocide.”

He had hoped to run in the presidential election but was barred from the race as he is under UN sanctions.

Bozizé has a large following, especially among the Gbaya ethnic group, the country's largest, and has many supporters in the army.

Violence

On Sunday, rebel forces seized the south-eastern town of Bangassou, an official from the country's United Nations mission said. Thousands of civilians have fled the town,

The government and armed groups signed a peace deal in February 2019, but the country still has bouts of violence.

Militias hold sway over two-thirds of the territory, deriving income from mining and forced payments at roadblocks and on traders.

In the last seven years, thousands have died and nearly a quarter of the population of 4.7 million have fled their homes.