Bangui tense after strikes and clashes

The Central African Republic capital, Bangui, is reported tense after security forces used teargas to disperse protests by groups of young people earlier this week. Sources in the capital said the heightened tension was sparked by a civil servants' strike over pay arrears which began on 2 November. Although the strike call was suspended on Tuesday, "social tension" remained in the city. The demonstrations were organised by a youth group named 'Flambeau centrafricain' (Central African Torch). On Tuesday, they attempted to block one of the capital's main arteries - l'avenue Boganda - and looted several cars. They set up barricades and burnt tyres, prompting police and presidential guard units to use teargas against them. Analysts said the demonstrations were incited by the opposition which was trying to exploit the social crisis in the country. The name of Jean-Paul Ngoupande, leader of the opposition Parti de l'unite nationale (PUN), has been mentioned in connection with the unrest. In a press release, received by IRIN on Thursday, the 'Flambeau centrafricain' said it had regrouped the young people of CAR who were "engaged in a patriotic struggle for social justice and real change". It said its strategy was to organise a "ville morte" (dead city), aimed at paralysing the city. Running battles with the police and army units on Tuesday resulted in a provisional toll of five demonstrators seriously wounded and over 10 arrested. "This must not dampen the ardour of the young people to get rid of a regime which is rotten, contemptuous and detested by all," the statement added. "The 'Flambeau centrafricain' calls on all young people...to strongly mobilise again and await the next order which will not be long in coming." Radio France Internationale, which also reported the violence, said it was surprising that the strike protest had also affected strongholds of President Ange-Felix Patasse, such as the Sara and Moustapha districts, which usually do not respond to trade unions or opposition movements. The radio also mooted the fact that the disturbances may be linked to the recent death of former prime minister Jean-Luc Mandaba and his son under "suspicious circumstances". Mandaba, a former health minister, was appointed premier in 1993 by Patasse, but resigned two years later pre-empting a threatened vote of no-confidence in his government following accusations of corruption and incompetence.