Page "Central African Armed Forces" Paragraph 3

In 1993, Ange-Félix Patassé became the first elected president of the country.

He became soon unpopular within the army, resulting in violent mutinies in 1996 – 1997.

In May 2001, there was an unsuccessful coup attempt by Kolingba and once again Patassé had to turn to friends abroad for support, this time Libya and DR Congo were helpful.

Some months later, in the end of October, Patassé sacked his army chief-of-staff, François Bozizé, and tried to arrest him.

Bozizé then fled to Chad and gathered a group of rebellions.

In 2002, he seized Bangui for a short period.

In March 2003 Bozizé took power through a coup d ’ état.