Francois Bozize

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  Pope Francis' Safe Trip to Central African Republic Boosts Peace Hopes

  The man who persuaded Pope Francis to visit Central African Republic (CAR) voiced relief today that the trip had passed off safely and hailed its success as a boost to hopes for lasting peace in the conflict-scarred country.

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  Central African Catholics Look to Papal Visit for Salvation

  Bangui, Central African Republic Fervent Roman Catholics in the Central African Republic, faced with almost daily killings, are counting on Pope Francis to help save their battered nation when he is scheduled to visit late in November.

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  UN Blacklists Central African Diamond Firm, 3 Militia Leaders

  The United Nations on Thursday slapped sanctions on a diamond firm from the Central African Republic and three militia leaders for undermining security in the troubled country.

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  Head of Ousted Central African Leader's Party Arrested

  The secretary general of the party of Francois Bozize, the ousted former president of the Central African Republic, was arrested Saturday as he was about to board a plane for Paris, a party source said.

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  UN Peacekeeper Shot Dead in Central African Republic

  A UN peacekeeping soldier was killed and eight other people injured in an attack by gunmen in the Central African Republic's capital Bangui, a military source said Sunday.

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  Central Africa's Diamonds Come at High Price in Blood and Sweat

  Barefoot, with sweat pouring down their naked chests, 50 men slave in the depths of the Central African forest digging for diamonds in a sandy pit half the size of a football pitch.

• Nearly 50 Killed in New Wave of Violence in Central Africa

  Nearly 50 people have been killed in three days in a fresh surge of sectarian violence in the Central African Republic, a peacekeeping officer said on Wednesday.

• Obama Imposes Sanctions on Former CAR Leaders: White House

  US President Barack Obama on Tuesday imposed sanctions against the former Central African Republic leaders Francois Bozize and Michel Djotodia and three other officials, the White House said.

• United Nations Sanctions Central African Republic Former President

  The United Nations has imposed sanctions on the Central African Republic's former president Francois Bozize and two rebel leaders for undermining peace and fueling violence in the conflict-torn country.

• UN Blacklists Ex-Central African Republic President, Militia Leaders

  A United Nations Security Council committee on Friday imposed sanctions on Central African Republic's former President Francois Boziz; and two other men linked to the country's conflict after China and Russia withdrew their objections to the move.

• Looting a way of life for Central Africa's lost generation

  Deprived of schooling by years of inept leadership, the forsaken youths of the Central African Republic see raiding and plundering as the only career their country has to offer.

• Celebrations in Central African Republic as leader resigns

  Central African Republic's interim leaders caved in to international pressure and resigned on Friday after failing to halt inter-religious violence, prompting street celebrations but also questions over who would step in to take charge.

• Violence displaces one million people in Central African Republic: UN

  Nearly one million people have fled their homes in the ongoing conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) and more than two million are in need of humanitarian aid there, UN said on Monday.

• Central African Republic president overthrown by rebels

  Rebels overthrew Central African Republic's president of a decade on Sunday, seizing the presidential palace and declaring that the desperately poor country has "opened a new page in its history." The country's president fled the capital, while extra French troops moved to secure the airport, officials said.

• Central African Republic president flees rebel attack

  Central African Republic's President Francois Bozize fled the capital early Sunday, hours after hundreds of armed rebels threatening to overthrow him invaded the city, an adviser said.