AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC - Archbishop of Bangui among guarantors for presidential elections in Central African Republic. Missionary comments for Fides

Thursday, 10 February 2005

Bangui (Fides Service)- “The reaction has been positive. The local press welcomed the agreement reached by political groups in Central Africa” a missionary working in Central African Republic told Fides with regard to the signing of a “code of electoral good conduct” on 9 February in a Libreville, capital of Gabon, by 11 candidates for presidential elections on 13 March. “The candidates have promised to respect the will of the people and accept the outcome of the vote ” the sources told Fides. “This an important result in a country which has suffered a number coups and popular revolts in the recent past”.
It was agreed that a committee of 6 will see that the code is respected. “One of the six is Archbishop Paulin Pomodimo of Bangui who is also President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Central Africa. This is recognition of efforts by the Archbishop and the entire local Church to promote peace and national unity” the missionary told Fides.
According to the agreement the vote will be monitored by an independent mixed electoral commission. On the basis of the code of conduct candidates will exercise their political activity with full respect for the Constitution, the electoral code and the laws and regulations in force”.
Central Africa is recovering from a turbulent period since the President François Bozize took power in 2003 ending a civil war started in October 2002.
“The country is relatively quiet although there is still banditry and violence against civilians in rural areas,” the missionary told Fides. “But then it would take at least 40,000 troops to keep control over a country twice the size of Italy, but the Central African army consists of only 2,000- 3,000 men”.
“Despite the difficult situation missionaries continue to serve the people including those in most remote areas” the sources told Fides. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 10/2/2005 righe 34 parole 360)


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