THE Central African Republic’s armed forced chief has ordered all troops and police back to barracks on Monday, after announcing the imposition of ”physical controls” following an abortive coup attempt. All troops must present themselves at their barracks and garrisons at 8:00 am General Francois Bozizee said in a statement late on Sunday. Absentees will receive ”penalties of the strongest nature,” he added. The decree came ten days after the cessation of fighting between troops loyal to President Ange-Felix Patasse and the authors of the failed coup of May 28. Numerous soldiers, particularly ethnic Yakomas — like former military ruler Andre Kolingba, presumed leader of the failed coup — have not returned to their camps for fear of reprisals. Some have been staying in southern parts of the capital Bangui, moving from house to house daily to avoid capture. Others have taken refuge in neighbouring forests or in Zongo, a town in the Democratic Republic of Congo on the other side of the river Oubangui. According to Italian humanitarian group Coopi, some 40,000 Bangui residents, mainly Yakomas, remain outside the capital following the coup attempt. – AFP