Another attack has been reported in Central African Republic since the recent formation of government aroused displeasure from rebels in talks on an end to years of instability.
Ex-combatants of the Democratic Front for the Central African People (FDPC) led by Abdoulaye Miskine launched an attack on Saturday on the city of Batongofo, 500 km north of the capital Bangui, according to Radio France Internationale (RFI).
Miskine was quoted as confirming that 400 FDPC members retook arms after waiting for disarmament, demobilization and reinsertion (DDR), a program in which they said the authorities abused power.
The Defense Ministry has also recognized the weekend attack, but denying the return of ex-combatants to armed struggle.
The attack followed the raid by the Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace (CPJP) on Feb. 12-13 on the city of Bossembele, 160 km northwest of Bangui.
The CPJP said it resumed fighting to press for "strict and full application of recommendations adopted by all."
Miskine and Abakar Sabone, head of the Movement of Central African Liberators for Justice (MLCJ), signed a joint communique on Feb. 16, threatening to resume warfare.
"Facing the refusal of the general ( President Francois Bozize) to respect the different accords signed, the resolutions adopted in Bangui in the month of December, the FDPC and the MLCJ, find themselves in the future facing a situation which allow no other choices than resume armed struggle," the communique said.
The two movements were also critical of the nomination of Jean Jacques Demafouth to the post of vice-president of the DDR Committee, saying the nomination was written in the Libreville accords without their agreement.
Demafouth, the former defense minister, heads the Popular Army for the Restoration of Democracy (APRD), which, alongside the Union of Democratic Forces of Reassembly (UFDR) led by Damane Zakaria, signed a comprehensive peace agreement with the government on June 21 in the Gabonese capital Libreville.
President Bozize has seen an outcry against the Jan. 19 formation of a new government, which is seen by many as a mockery of the Dec.8-20 inclusive political dialogue in Banqui.
Charles Massi, head of the Alliance of Democratic Forces for Change (AFDC), said last week the new line-up is 95 percent of the presidential majority, justifying the CPJP attack in defense of the Bangui recommendations.
Critics say the 32-member government under the same Prime Minister, Faustin Archange Touedera, offers only 10 portfolios to opposition parties, former rebels and civil society, a violation of the Bangui recommendations which envisage a broad-based open government.
Opponents have also expressed doubt that the Bozize dominated government could prepare free, transparent municipal and legislative elections in 2009 and a presidential vote in 2010, as recommended by participants of the Bangui dialogue.
Resume rebel attacks could be a setback to the peace process in Central African Republic. UN special envoy Francois Lonseny Fall stressed last month that the DDR program is a key to the country's restoration of peace and stability, warning "incidents" may occur at any time without" the success of the DDR."
Central African Republic has witnessed a series of coups and revolts since its independence from France in 1960. Despite its rich resources of timber, gold, diamond and uranium, the country is ranked as one of the poorest in the world as a result of instability.