Martyrs, national unity mark Independence Day in Central Africa

By Aurore Bonny

DOUALA, Cameroon (AA) - The Central African Republic celebrated its 61st Independence Day with activities to commemorate martyrs and support justice and peace, according to media reports.

The former French colony was proclaimed the CAR in 1958 and became independent on Aug. 13, 1960.

President Faustin Touadera said: "All the sins accumulated by so many years of subjugation, bullying, servitude, spoliation," were dismissed on that day.

He said in a speech Thursday that independence is "the culmination of the long struggle" by Central African ancestors "for freedom, dignity, respect for the inalienable right to life, self-determination and, above all, a new era, full of hope."

"To honor their memories," he said he organized "a military parade at Camp Kassai.”

The nation held activities to appreciate independence, including "a cultural event to consolidate peace and social cohesion at the Sports Palace in Bangui, the capital," as reported by local media outlet Centrafrique-info.

The association of Central African bloggers marked the day by implementing the ICT4 Justice program to promote the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.

The group held a discussion on the law and challenges of violent extremism in the Central African Republic.

Touadera called on the nation to cherish the memory of independence fighters to "stand together in the face of the challenges of transformation" of the CAR that has a population of more than 4 million.

"Division, tribalism, nepotism, corruption, set up as modes of political governance, have very quickly emptied our independence of its meaning," he said.

Touadera invited the nation to embrace tolerance, inclusion and an upcoming national dialogue.

This will allow "exorcising the Central African evil and defining the priorities of development," he said.

He also asked the government to proceed as soon as possible with the development of a roadmap to address urgent issues of good governance, the fight against corruption, improve business climate and justice.

The international community also congratulated CAR on its independence.

"The national independence day is a symbol of freedom. It is a strong moment of gathering around the cardinal values that form the foundation of the Central African Nation: Unity, Dignity and Work," said Mankeur Ndiaye, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the Central African Republic.