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The President of the Central African Republic, Faustin Archanchi Touadera, has called on fighters from armed groups to “lay down their arms and return to the Republic”. The appeal was launched at a press lunch in Bangui on Friday 2 August. On this issue, the President of the Republic offered both carrots and sticks to those who do not support his call.
This call for disarmament comes against the backdrop of divisions within the Coalition of Patriotic Change (CPC). Although the military leader of the rebel movement, Ali Darassa, announced the cessation of hostilities on the Central African territory, the general coordinator, former president François Bozize, insisted that this decision was not the position of the CPC. It only appeals to its authors.
‘They must give up their weapons’
By making this appeal, the Central African leader reaffirms his commitment to the policy of “extended hands” towards armed groups. According to Faustin Archange Touadera, arrangements are being made to welcome fighters who have laid down their arms.
“Some people have now realized that they were on the wrong path and have voluntarily disarmed and handed over their weapons. We have made arrangements for them. Now that they have returned to the Republic, we will include them in the disarmament program. If you want to be a soldier, meet the requirements. Those who want to engage in economic activities, we give them opportunities,” said the President of the Republic.
Armed measures against diehards
However, if he welcomes with goodwill the fighters of armed groups who express their desire to disarm, Faustin-Archanchi Touadera advocates a course against those who resist this call because, according to him, they will face the military.
“At one point I asked them to lay down their arms and return to the Republic. There is no point in continuing to wage war. I am not a warmonger, but I must protect the people. If you stay there with your weapons, I must also send the Sons of the Nation to protect the weakest.” Hammered Faustin Acheçe Touadera.
In recent months, combatants from several armed groups have voluntarily surrendered their weapons and joined the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process. The latest development was the handing over of weapons by more than 200 anti-balaka militiamen to the Central African authorities in the town of Koango (Ouaka Prefecture) for integration into the defence and security forces.
– Also read: Central African Republic: Over 200 ex-combatants surrender their weapons in Kouango
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