Central African Republic vote delayed to January 23

BANGUI (Reuters) - Central African Republic has delayed presidential and legislative elections until January 23 from October 24 due to insecurity caused by rebels, according to a presidential decree read over state radio on Friday.

The new date comes after three previous election dates in the impoverished country were scrapped over problems with funding and rebel disarmament, leaving President Francois Bozize in power beyond his mandate, which ended in June.

"The pacification of the entire country is indispensible for the free movement of candidates and their representatives across the national territory," presidential spokesman Fidele Gouandjika said.

Several different rebel groups, including the Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army, are active in CAR's north and east, and recent attacks have reinforced doubts the country would be able to adequately prepare for a poll.

Elections were initially set for April, before being delayed until May and then until October.

The country has also said it requires about 7 billion CFA francs to fund the elections preparations and has been pushing the European Union for aid.

The EU said this week it would consider raising its initial aid offer of 4.3 billion CFA to 6.2 billion if CAR fixes an election date by presidential decree.

The landlocked country holds deposits of gold, uranium and diamonds, but insecurity has so far discouraged large-scale development.