Page "Foreign relations of the Central African Republic" Paragraph 8

Bozizé has surprisingly good relations both with the DRC President Joseph Kabila and the former rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba.

When the old president Kolingba tried to overthrow Patassé in May 2001, the Movement for the Liberation of Congo ( MLC ) came to his rescue.

MLC controlled the northern part of DRC and its rebels were stationed on the other side of the Ubangi river from Bangui.

The MLC executed between 60 and 120 persons, mainly from the Yakoma tribe and committed atrocities – including killing, looting and rape – against the population.

This terror and the crimes carried out during MLC's war against Bozizé's rebels between October 2002 and March 2003 is now being investigated by the International Criminal Court, which says it has identified 600 rape victims and the real numbers are expected to be higher.

Most of the crimes were committed by Congolese MLC soldiers, but Bozizé's rebels, including elements from Chad, were also responsible.

During Bozizé's time in power, new clashes have taken place between his soldiers and the MLC.

Bozizé has strengthened military presence along the border and deployed an amphibious force patrolling the Ubangi river.

There were refugees from DRC in C. A. R.

from July 1999 ( when Kabila advanced in the region bordering C. A. R .).

The refugees were repatriated following an agreement between UNHCR and the governments of the two countries in 2004.

Refugees from C. A. R.

in DRC were beginning to be repatriated in July 2004.