Central African Republic sanctioned

JOHANNESBURG -- The African Union suspended the Central African Republic yesterday and imposed sanctions after President François Bozizé's ouster, warning that coup leaders could face trial.

In an ominous sign that could presage more fighting, the rebels appeared deeply divided, openly contradicting one another about who should be leader. One rebel leader threatened more violence, indicating he was willing to attack other rebels.

In Pretoria, South African President Jacob Zuma condemned the rebels as "bandits," confirming the deaths of 13 South African soldiers in a nine-hour battle. Twenty-seven others were wounded.

"It is a sad moment for our country," Zuma said, as controversy raged over the government's failure to pull out its forces.

The African Union's peace and security chief, Ramtane Lamamra, called on the organization's members to isolate the leaders of the rebel alliance, known as Seleka, and requested that they support any other future steps by the union, including the trial of the rebels for toppling the president.

"The council has decided to suspend with immediate effect Central African Republic from all African Union activities and to impose sanctions, travel restrictions and an asset freeze on Seleka's leaders," said Lamamra in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

African Union chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, a senior South African official and former wife of Zuma, condemned the rebel takeover, as did United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

In Washington, the Obama administration refused to support the Central African Republic's recently ousted leader and declined to call the overthrow of Bozizé a coup. State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said the United States was focused on salvaging peace by keeping alive an accord between the Seleka rebels and a government run by the prime minister, Nicolas Tiangaye.

Bozizé fled the country and is reportedly in Cameroon.

One rebel leader, Michel Djotodia, declared himself the new president, but another, Nelson Ndjadder, said he could topple him. With AP