Battle of Bangui (2013)

Not to be confused with Battle of Bangui (2021).

Battle of Bangui
Part of Central African Republic Civil War
Date 23–24 March 2013 Location Bangui central African Republic Result Séléka victory Séléka took control of Bangui South Africa military withdrawal Michel Djotodia declared himself president
Belligerents
Central African Republic South Africa	Séléka
Commanders and leaders
François Bozizé   Col. William Dixon	Michel Djotodia Issa Issaka Aubin Arda Hakouma
Units involved
5 Special Forces Regiment 1 Parachute Battalion 7 Medical Battalion Group	CPJP UFDR
Strength
200 soldiers 2,000 soldiers (not present)	5,000 – 7,000 soldiers
Casualties and losses
13 dead and 27 wounded,2 later died in the military hospital in South Africa	500–800 killed, 1,000s wounded

The Battle of Bangui occurred in March 2013, during the ongoing Central African Republic Civil War, and resulted in Séléka taking power in the Central African Republic. With the Central African Armed Forces and international soldiers absent, most of the resistance was raised by South African soldiers.

Background

On 18 March 2013, the rebels, having taken over Gambo and Bangassou, threatened to take up arms again if their demands for the release of political prisoners, the integration of their forces into the national army and for South African soldiers to leave the country, were not met within 72 hours. Three days later, they took control of the towns of Damara and Bossangoa.

Battle

On 23 March Séléka rebels entered Bangui's outskirts. At 19:00 Christian Narkoyo, spokesman of Séléka, announced that rebel forces had crossed the PK12 neighbourhood with little resistance. Rebels also cut electricity from city by turning off Bouali power plant. In reaction to rebel advancements, French forces secured Bangui airport. At 8:15 on 24 March fighting erupted in the city centre. At 8:48 Djouma Narkoyo announced that rebels had captured the presidential palace and that President François Bozizé had fled. By 12:00 it was announced that the rebels controlled the entire city with only some pockets of resistance remaining. On 18:31 Michel Djotodia declared himself new President of the country.