362 former rebels join army after training

A batch of 362 former rebels, who fought alongside current Central African Republic leader Francois Bozize, have been integrated into the armed forces after two months of training in several centres in the country, state-owned Radio Centrafrique reported on Monday. This batch represents the first of some 1,000 former Bozize fighters who are to receive formal training before absorbtion into the military. They had supported Bozize during his six-month rebellion that led to his overthrow of President Ange-Felix Patasse on 15 March. Training took place at army facilities in Bouar and Bossembele, 454 km and 157 km northwest of the capital, Bangui; at Sibut, 185 km northeast of Bangui; at Berengo, 80 km south of Bangui. Others are training in Chad. The restructuring of the armed forces is one of the main priorities of Bozize', who needs a professional military to pacify the country. Highway robbers have been running amok in north, mainly targeting Fulani herdsmen and their children. In addition, the insecurity has kept some government officials away from their duty stations. "Highwaymen now control the situation," Lazare Ngatende, the mayor of Bossangoa, said during the induction ceremony held in the town on Saturday. Communications Minister Parfait Mbaye, who presided over the ceremony, appealed for cooperatuion from northern residents. "I urge the dynamic youth of Ouham [province] and all those still having arms to surrender them," Mbaye, a lieutenant colonel, said.