Central African Republic: the Coalition of Patriots for Change calls for a ceasefire

A view of Bangui, the Central African capital.

REUTERS - Siegfried Modola

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

Three days before the presidential and legislative elections in the Central African Republic, and while security tensions are high, the CPC, the Coalition of Patriots for Change, calls for a 72-hour ceasefire in a statement.

This coalition has been leading an offensive for nearly a week in an attempt to obtain the suspension of the election, otherwise, of joining the capital.

Publicity

Read more

From our special correspondent in Bangui

,

Florence Morice

This is the third CPC statement since the armed groups announced

the creation of this coalition

.

Like the previous ones, it is not signed but sources within several armed groups members of this Coalition confirm its authenticity, including a senior official of the 3R armed group.

However, not all components of this coalition have formally confirmed this.

The statement is dated December 23.

The authors declare a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire throughout the country for all coalition fighters.

They also " 

invite 

" the Central African authorities to do the same and President Touadéra to "

suspend the elections

 " and immediately call consultations, their very first demand.

The authorities have not formally responded to this call.

For the moment, in any case the strategy of these armed groups does not seem to have borne fruit.

On the morning of December 24, in Bangui,

President Touadéra's

party

continued to campaign.

Bangui also called for

reinforcements from foreign

Rwandan and Russian forces.

In its press release, the coalition also denounces their entry into the game, while it is itself suspected of having called on foreign mercenaries.

Newsletter

Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

  • Central African Republic

  • Faustin-Archange Touadéra

On the same subject

Elections in the Central African Republic: the authorities determined to hold the poll on the scheduled date

Reportage

Central African Republic: Minusca on "maximum" alert to secure the capital

News calls

[Your reactions] Central African Republic: should we maintain the presidential election?