Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bangui (Agenzia Fides) – “We hope and pray that political dialogue respects the established conditions that the parties have agreed to.” This is the wish of the Bishops of the Central African Republic expressed in a statement issued on June 22, following the peace accord that was signed by the government and two rebel groups of the northern region. The global peace accord, that should contribute to national dialogue and make way for a resolution to the crisis of security and finance, was signed on June 21 in Libreville, the capital of Gabon, whose President Omar Bongo, played the role of mediator.
The treaty, that follows previous peace accords with each of the rebel groups and the government (see Fides 15/5/2008), was signed by the Armée Populaire pour la Restauration de la Démocratie (APRD), presided by former Defense Minister Jean-Jacques Demafouth, and by the Union des Forces Démocratiques pour le Rassemblement (UFDR).
A third group of rebels, the Front Démocratique du Peuple Centrafricain (FDPC) d'Abdoulaye Misaine did not sign the treaty.
The peace accord among the rebel movements and the government is considered an indispensable requirement for the organization of an “inclusive political dialogue,” that should include all Central African parties (government, rebels, pacific opposition, and civil society groups) so that the country may emerge from its crisis and there may be peace throughout the land.
The Bishops hope that this dialogue “may include finding real solutions, in a spirit of tolerance, mutual respect, and reconciliation.”
Central Africa is one of the poorest nations in the world, although it is rich in natural resources. In recent years, the Central African Republic has also been affected in the serious situation of neighboring Darfur. Tens of thousands of refugees have been allowed in the country, fleeing the afflicted region of Sudan. Their camps are subject to attacks on the part of militias from beyond its borders. In order to ensure protection, a military contingent of the European Union has been deployed in Central Africa and Chad. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 23/6/2008)
