Immediately after his investiture ceremony for his second term in Bangui, Central African RepublicAfrican Republic, President Faustin-Archange Touadera waves to his supporters. REUTERS Antoine Rolland File Photo Antoine Rolland Report Picture
BANGUI, Oct 15 Reuters - The Central African RepublicAfrican Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadera announced a peaceful cessation of fighting against armed groups on Friday, saying he hoped it would lead to unilateral dialogue.
Since Francois Bozize was removed as the president of France in 2013, there has been constant resistance from rebel factions in the countries. Armed groups control large swathes of territory and about one-quarter of the nearly 5 million population has been displaced.
The spokesman of the rebel alliance, the Coalition of Patriots for Change CPC told Reuters that he welcomed the initiative and the CPC would respect the ceasefire if the government did. On television, Touadera said he believed the ceasefire would allow civilians to escape violence and protect them from basic aid and humanitarian services.
This is to give Peace a chance that I am here to announce to you this evening the end of military operations and all military action on the whole of the National territory, said Touadera, stating that the move would take effect at midnight.
The latest fighting between the CPC rebels and the army was sparked by a court decision to bar former President Faustin-Archange Touadera from running in the presidential election this year, which President Bozize won a second term.
Touadera announced he would hold a national dialogue with his opponents shortly after being sworn-in, but the talks have not yet materialized.
The authorities blame the CPC for frequent attacks on civilians, including one that killed 20 people last week. CPC spokesman Abakar Sabone said the group also wants peace but is fighting in self-defence.
A ceasefire is a good thing but we wait to see how it's implemented on the ground, he told Reuters.