Central African Republic: Army recapture town of Ndele held one week ago by rebels of Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace
Military officials in the Central African Republic say they have retaken a key northern town that was captured by rebels last week. The country’s president is pushing a peace deal ahead of 2010 elections.
Military officials in Bangui say government troops have recaptured the town of Ndele, about 675 kilometers north of the capital. It was at the center of fighting earlier this year that drove more than 8,000 civilians across the border into Chad.
Rebels from the Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace took control of Ndele last Thursday in a three-pronged attack that the government says killed at least 15 people including two soldiers. Government forces from the garrison there regrouped and regained command of the town over the weekend, driving out rebels led by former prime minister Charles Massi.