Opposition coalition in Central African Republic withdraws from dialogue process

Opposition coalition in Central African Republic withdraws from dialogue process

COD 20-20 protests lifting of immunity for its MPs, travel ban

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - The Coalition of the Democratic Opposition (COD 20-20) in the Central African Republic (CAR) announced its withdrawal Saturday from the dialogue process in protest regarding the lifting of immunity for its MPs and a travel ban.

Launched last year, COD 20-20 brought together 16 opposition parties in CAR.

President Faustin-Archange Touadera earlier this month, declared a unilateral cease-fire in fighting armed groups to pave the way for talks.

But in a statement, COD 20-20 said while the people of the Central African Republic seek the return of peace and security to the country, including through organization of talks.

Touadera continues to show “warlike and anti-democratic intentions.”

It cited the lifting of immunity for democratic opposition lawmakers Anicet Georges Dologuele, Martin Ziguele and Aurelien Simplice Zingas, which it said did not signal a peaceful environment to go to talks.

The procedure for lifting immunity was initiated Wednesday by the President of the National Assembly Simplice Mathieu Sarandji on Touadera’s directive, according to the coalition.

In addition, the coalition complained about the reinstatement of a travel ban on members of the democratic opposition, whose names it said were submitted to the Bangui airport and police.

The regime, it said, decided to intensify its policy of terror and hunt for opponents.

“It therefore emerges that the regime does not want peace or the return of security or reconciliation and, above all, a dialogue that should bring together the sons and daughters of the country,” said the statement. “Therefore, the COD-2020 decided as of Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, to withdraw from the Organizing Committee of the Republican Dialogue its representatives namely the Hon. Aurelien Simplice Zingas, President of the Health Subcommittee and Serge Psimhis, member of the Thematic Subcommittee.”

The central African nation has been devastated by violence since former President Francois Bozize was ousted in 2013.

In September, the president inaugurated the organizing committee for talks expected by the end of the year, composed of representatives of public authorities, political parties, religious denominations, civil society and international experts.

The committee is tasked, among other things, to propose a timetable and a place for national dialogue which should allow everyone to express concerns in efforts to restore peace.


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