Central African Republic rebels have reportedly deposed President François Bozize after seizing the capital Bangui and the presidential palace there. The whereabouts of Bozize remains unknown as he is thought to have fled the county prior to losing power.

Some speculation suggests he crossed into the Democratic Republic of Congo early Sunday, Reuters reported citing an anonymous source said to be a presidential advisor.

The rebels issued a statement that said French President Francois Hollande "has taken note of the departure of President Francois Bozize."

"Central African Republic has just opened a new page in its history," AP cites a communique signed by Justin Kombo Moustapha, secretary-general of the alliance of rebel groups Seleka.

The Seleka rebel coalition, whose members have long opposed Bozize, took the city late Saturday and fought their way to the strategically important city center in Bangui.

The group that began its offensive in December, seizing about one-third of the country, accuse the president of breaking a January peace agreement. Fighters sought to send home South African forces that were helping to boost the country's military and integrating 2,000 rebel fighters into Central African Republic's armed forces.

The conflict between the two sides deteriorated more than a week ago, with the rebels again taking control of two towns and threatening to advance on the capital.

On the eve of the invasion witnesses in the capital said people tried to flee the city as the rebels were approaching. Schools and banks closed early following reports of the advance.

As hundreds of armed rebels took Bangui, they cut power to much of the city. Residents in one area of the capital where fighting erupted Saturday said the rebels were dressed in civilian clothes, according to Reuters.

In the northern suburbs, Seleka rebels managed to took control of the neighborhood around Bozize's private residence. However, there they were told Bozize was in the presidential palace in the town center.

As rebel columns pushed towards the presidential palace, they clashed with government forces deployed to repel the insurgents.

"For us, there is no other solution than the departure of François Bozize," AP quoted, Eric Massi, a rebel spokesman, who spoke by phone from Paris on Saturday.

Government troops, however, retained control of the city center, home to the presidential palace. France had bolstered its 250-strong troop contingent in the country by an extra 150 personnel, sending the added firepower to help defend the city’s major airport. If forced to evacuate the 1,200 French civilians in the country, the airport would likely prove an invaluable lifeline.

Government spokesman Crepin Mboli-Goumba said the government was still in control of the capital. "President Bozize is still in power," Reuters reports, quoting the state representative. "Bangui has still not fallen."

The recent violence is the latest in the series of rebels’ unrest and coups since the Central African Republic, a nation of 4.5 million people, became independent from France in 1960.

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