The ousted president of the Central African Republic, Francois Bozize, has taken refuge in neighboring Cameroon as France sends more troops to the African country.

A statement from the office of Cameroon’s president said on Monday that Bozize is seeking a temporary stay before going to another county.

Bozize fled his country after Seleka fighters had seized the capital Bangui over the weekend. Reports say that the rebels’ leader Michel Djotodia declared himself the new president.

Meanwhile, France sent 350 more troops to its former colony, bringing the number of soldiers stationed in the African nation to 600.

Several hundred soldiers from South Africa were also deployed to the Central African Republic to counter the Seleka fighters.

According to a statement issued by the South African President Jacob Zuma, at least 13 South African soldiers lost their lives and 27 others injured in clashes with rebels at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Bangui.

Hostilities in the CAR resumed last week after the Seleka accused Bozize of breaking an earlier peace deal.

On January 11, the president and representatives of the Seleka fighters signed an agreement in Libreville, the capital of Gabon, after three days of negotiations brokered by regional neighbors.

Under the deal, some opposition figures and Seleka coalition members were given a number of key posts in the government.

The Seleka fighters launched an offensive against the government in December 2012.

There are many mineral resources, including gold and diamonds, in the Central African Republic. However, the country is extremely poor and has faced a series of rebellions and coups since it gained independence in 1960.