Central African Republic: ECCAS approves the holding of the ballot and calls on the rebels to withdraw

Central African President Faustin-Archange Touadéra on October 24, 2019 in Sochi, Russia.

AP - Alexander Ryumin

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

The heads of state of Central Africa met on Saturday, December 26, by videoconference to discuss the Central African Republic, on the eve of the presidential election for which they called on voters to “go to the polls en masse”.

In its final communiqué, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), convened at the initiative of Congo-Brazzaville, also condemned "with the last energy" the death of three Burundian soldiers of the United Nations Mission. in the Central African Republic (Minusca), Thursday in Dékoa.

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It is unequivocal support for

the Central African presidential election

, despite the circumstances, expressed by the presidents of

ECCAS

.

A " 

permanent mediator

 " is nevertheless appointed to follow the crisis, and a call has been launched for " 

the end of the fighting

 " and " 

the withdrawal of the rebels from all the front lines

 ".

In the aftermath of the election, the heads of state also want to organize " 

an inclusive political dialogue

 ", but without indicating a more precise objective.

They demand that justice be done for the

three Burundian soldiers of the Minusca killed

in the fighting in Dékia and call on " 

the member states which have the capacity to express their solidarity with the Central African Republic, including by sending armed troops

 " for "To 

help it recover the integrity of its territory

 ".

Were present at this conference: first the Angolan President of the ECCAS Commission, Gilberto da Piedade Verissimo, and the outgoing Central African President, Faustin-Archange Touadéra of course, who opened the debates.

At his side were the presidents of Congo-Brazzaville, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, of the DRC, Félix Tshisekedi, of Burundi, Évariste Ndayishimiye, and of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

Five heads of state in person, plus the representatives of the six other members of ECCAS: Angola, Cameroon, Rwanda, Chad, Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe. 

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  • Central African Republic

  • ECCAS

  • Faustin-Archange Touadéra

  • Denis Sassou-Nguesso

  • Felix Tshisekedi

  • Évariste Ndayishimiye

  • Teodoro Obiang Nguema

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