[2][3] On 18 March 2013, the rebels, having taken over Gambo and Bangassou, threatened to take up arms again if their demands for the release of political prisoners, the integration of their forces into the national army and for South African soldiers to leave the country, were not met within 72 hours.

At 19:00 Christian Narkoyo, spokesman of Séléka, announced that rebel forces had crossed the PK12 neighbourhood with little resistance.

At 8:48 Djouma Narkoyo announced that rebels had captured the presidential palace and that President François Bozizé had fled.

[6][7] Séléka reportedly enjoyed the support of Chadian president Idriss Déby, who had struck a deal with the group that Chadian agents would get hold of key posts in the Central African state apparatus after a takeover.

Thus, according to a number of observers, the 2013 coup occurred with financial and logistic support from Chad.