 He soon became unpopular within the army, resulting in violent mutinies in 1996–1997.In May 2001, there was an unsuccessful coup attempt by Kolingba and once again Patassé had to turn to friends abroad for support, this time Libya and DR Congo.Some months later, at the end of October, Patassé sacked his army chief-of-staff, François Bozizé, and attempted to arrest him.