The press release released Monday night by Ali Darassa, head of the powerful UPC-armed group, arouses some skepticism. In this handwritten document verified by RFI, the rebel leader pledges to withdraw from the CPC uprising and says he wants to reinstate Khartoum’s peace agreement, which he condemned in December for joining the uprising. But this statement sows confusion within the coalition and is greeted with “reserve” by the authorities.
as reported from Bangui, Florence Morice
Not surprisingly, it was the rebel’s CPC coalition that first reacted to challenge the authenticity of this document, an authenticity that was, however, confirmed on Monday by Ali Darassa’s spokesman. Some within the CPC provoke a “manipulation of the authorities” to try to bring together the other armed groups for the Khartoum Agreement. Others say their surprise.
“It’s a non-event,” said Aboubacar Siddick, a CPC spokesman. For him, whatever the case, “the uprising will continue with or without certain units.” Behind these lively and sometimes contradictory reactions, a certain disturbance is expressed.
According to our information, Ali Darassa’s press release has really caused a stir within the coalition and its own armed group. On the part of the authorities, we say to ourselves “with a certain reserve” and we do not see the urgency to react “given the past face of some armed groups”, trust a source in power.
The government spokesman simply reiterates Bangui’s position. “We do not intend to negotiate with armed groups that have left the agreement. They must answer for their actions in court, says Ange-Maxime Kazagui.
As for those who might commit to returning to the agreement: “For us, the issue does not yet arise”, the spokesman estimates and specifies that in any case “there will be no further discussions. With foreigners at the head of armed groups, which includes Ali Darassa ”.
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