While early in the morning, yesterday, Saturday 19 December, the Speaker of the Central African Government accused the former head of state, François Bozizé, of leading a coalition of armed men determined to march on Bangui to attempt a coup, Faustin Archange Touadéra held an afternoon meeting at the largest arena in Bangui. Despite the current crisis, he reaffirmed his determination to hold the vote on 27 December.
With our special correspondent in Bangui, Florence morice
At no point in his speech did Faustin Archange Touadéra mention the name of François Bozizé, but the shadow of the political and security shift playing out in the country hovered over everything he said: “Some people are manipulating you within you. says to take up arms. To kill people, to plunder public and private property, to destroy everything to drive back the country. Whether they want it or not, on the 27th we go to the polls. We just want peace. ”
“Do not be afraid”
A president who therefore wants to show that he remains on course and tries to calm down in the storm while some in Bangui fear a repetition of the 2013 scenario: “Do not be afraid. The military in your country is fully mobilized. In addition to Minusca, the Russian Federation and many other countries that support us, such as Rwanda. ”
Some presidential steps
When he arrived at a stadium far from full, the president-elect even took a few steps on the athletics track in front of the cameras.
► Also read: Central African Republic: what is the name of the coalition of armed groups?
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