- Advertisement -
D-3 before the day of the presidential and legislative elections in the Central African Republic. The authorities are determined to hold the vote on the scheduled date, this Sunday 27 December, despite pressure from armed groups to try to disrupt the vote, amid tensions and rumors. French President Emmanuel Macron gave support to Central African President Touadera exchange announced on Wednesday in a press release from the French Presidency …
With our special correspondent in Bangui, Florence morice
“The President of the Republic calls on Central Africans to remain calm and to prepare for the vote on 27 December.” This is an SMS that the Central African authorities sent overwhelmingly to the population on Wednesday 23 December. An unequivocal message to remind that the goal is to go to the polls on Sunday, despite the attacks of recent days.
Earlier today, the Strategic Committee set up by the Prime Minister to oversee the process held an evaluation meeting. The hypothesis of a postponement, claimed by several candidates, was not mentioned. In the country, the day was calmer than the day before, but the armed groups maintain their pressure. Clashes were reported again on the outskirts of Boali, about a hundred kilometers from the capital Bangui, where in the morning a wind of psychosis gripped the population. A rumor that has since been denied of an imminent attack has caused panic scenes, a sign of nervousness that reigns as the vote approaches.
“Nothing will stop this electoral process”
In this climate, the election of the new office of ANE, the authority responsible for the election, has been postponed until Thursday 24 December. At the end of the day, the Ministry of the Interior decided to suspend the circulation of motorcycle taxis at night throughout the country between 8 pm and 5 am.
The UN Department for Peacekeeping Operations says it is determined to ensure that “nothing will prevent this electoral process” which is described as “crucial” for the Central African Republic. In Geneva, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is concerned about an “escalation of violence fueled by political complaints and hate speech, which poses serious risks to civilians and the exercise of the right to vote”, leading to the forced relocation of civilians, according to High Commission spokeswoman Liz Throssel.
The people are ready to vote
Marie-Noëlle Koyara, Minister of Defense
France condemns François Bozizé
In addition, French President Emmanuelle Macron and Central African President Faustin-Archange Touadera spoke by telephone on Wednesday. An exchange announced in a press release from the French Presidency informed our Bangui correspondent about Charlotte cosset. President Macron recalled “France’s constant engagement with the Central African authorities and the Central African people”. France directly and specifically condemns François Bozizé, who, according to it, is trying to prevent the implementation of the peace agreement and the elections.
President Macron, at the request of President Touadéra and in agreement with Minusca, carried out a flight of “demonstration of presence ”. This is several days after the first actions due to the partner forces in the Central African Republic including the Russians and the Rwandans. A mission marking “France’s condemnation of attempts to destabilize the country” certainly ends the French presidential statement.
Can we expect greater action from France? Diplomatic sources point out that they have forces positioned in neighboring countries, especially in Gabon, Chad and Côte d’Ivoire. Today, 150 French soldiers are present on Central African soil dedicated to the protection of Bangui Mpoko Airport.
.
