Rebels in the Central African Republic have seized the capital Bangui, including the Presidential palace in a dramatic coup d’état, according to local reporters.

The rebels started their offensive against the government troops last week and gained more grounds until early Sunday when they entered the capital Bangui.

President Francois Bozize was reportedly on Sunday evening fled the country to neighboring DR.Congo for safety and nothing has been heard from him since then.

The rebels, who have been involved in an on-off rebellion since December, accuse President Francois Bozize of failing to honor a peace deal.

Former colonial power France called for an emergency meeting with the UN Security Council, and has sent troops to secure the country’s airport.

French President Francois Hollande, who has sent hundreds of troops to Bangui, said the rebel fighters must respect the people of the Republic.

President Hollande also confirmed that President Francois Bozize had fled the country and said he is believed to be in the DR Congo.

The rebels joined a power-sharing government in January after talks brokered by regional leaders to end a rebellion they launched last year.

Nelson Ndjadder, a spokesman for the rebels said Central Africa Republic could now move into a transition towards a democratic election very soon.

“With the taking of Bangui and the departure of Bozize, the main objective of our struggle has been realised, Central Africans must meet around a table to decide the path for their common future”, he said.

Local reporters say there has been widespread of looting and chaos in the capital making business coming to a stand-still.

President Francois Bozize came to power in a coup in 2003, but won subsequent elections in 2005 and 2011.

The Rebels say he has failed to honor the peace pact signed in 2007 and demanded that he stepped down from the presidency.

Central Africa Republic, which has a population of about 4.5 million, has been hit by a series of rebellions since independence from France in 1960.

The Central Africa Republic is one of the poorest countries in Africa, despite its considerable mineral resources due to mismanagement and political instability.

Issaka Adams / NationalTurk Africa News

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