Rebels in Central African Republic launched a pre-dawn attack today on an army base near the country's volatile border with Sudan, the Defense Ministry said. The army repulsed the assault in the northeastern town of Birao, said Alain George, a communications officer for the ministry, quoted by AP. George blamed the violence on the Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace rebel group, the only insurgent faction that has not signed a peace deal with the government. The group is known by its French acronym, CPJP. Journalist Abdel Kader, who works for a local radio station in Birao, said former fighters of a rival rebel faction helped the army fend off the assault. He said two people were killed _ one soldier and one of the attackers, and several houses were looted. The country is expected to hold presidential elections later this year.
