Negotiations Stalled Pending the Summit of the Heads of State of Central African Countries

Translation from the original French article in Jeune Afrique

Direct talks between the Seleka rebels and the Central African Republic Government began Wednesday, January 9, in Libreville (Gabon). Continuing late into the night,  the parties in conflict have not yet softened their positions.

The  Central African Republic rebel coalition Seleka arrived at the negotiating table late morning on Wednesday, January 9. Standing firmly on their position, they continued to demand the immediate departure of the Head of State, François Bozize, and also submitted a memorandum in which they asked that he be brought before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The unarmed political opposition quickly fell behind these claims, while government officials categorically refused to consider the departure of Bozize before the end of his term in 2016.

At midnight, the debate continued in the same vein and the parties involved were separated without significant progress.

The Summit of Heads of State of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), which will open this Thursday, January 10, is expected to further negotiations.

Eric Massi absent from negotiations

The Delegation of the rebellion, led by Michel Djotodia is currently composed of 15 people. Five members of the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UDFR), of which  Michel Djotodia is the leader, two of the Patriotic Convention for the salvation of Kodro (CPSK), including its leader, General Mohamed Moussa Dhaffane, two of Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace (PJCC),  and Adam Noureddine is also present in Libreville. In addition, a group of six people arrived in N'Djamena, including Colonel Juma Narkoyo, military spokesman of the coalition and a member of the UDFR. The identity of five others has not yet been disclosed by the rebellion.

The spokesman for the coalition Seleka Paris, Eric Massi, on the other hand is not present in Libreville. According to him, the Heads of State of the subregion have refused to participate in the negotiations: "I wrote to President Ali Bongo Ondimba to tell him of my desire to go in the Gabonese capital, but I did not receive a response. I note that the discussions began without me, "he said.

To explain his absence since the beginning of the rebel attack on December 10, a member of Seleka commented publicly on behalf of the coalition and alluded to increasing tensions between Massi and the military command of the rebellion. The movement's leaders reproach him for having announced a delegation of Seleka would attend the negotiations in Libreville, although they had not yet reached a decision. "He believed at one time to be able to embody the alternative Bozize, but we have other plans. He was too hasty and did not take into account the many warnings, "says the source. "This is a delicate subject," he specified.

Chadians in retreat

The rebels are now about ten kilometers from Bangui and have already bypassed Damara. Tuesday, January 8, Chadian troops, present in Central Africa since the beginning of the crisis, began to leave the city, considered to be the last barrier before the capital. Withdrawal coincides with the announcement of sending South African troops that was made 7 January by President Jacob Zuma.