The rebels justify their stand saying that that would the only way national actors in exile could attend.

In his speech on the occasion of the World Food Day, Bozize invited rebels to drop guns and contribute to the country’s development. In a communiqué issued a communiqué on 9 November, the chief of the People’s Army for Restoration of Republic and Democracy (APRD) “accepted the principle of the dialogue but set conditions concerning the venue of the forum.”

As for Captain Abakar Sabone, spokesmen of the Union of Democratic Forces for Rally (UFDR), he declared in an interview granted to local daily called Le Confident that “the dialogue should hold abroad in order to ensure safety of participants and freedom of speech.” He further wanted the forum to take place under the supervision of the international community that should also be in charge of ensuring the implementation of the various recommendations and resolutions.

It should be pointed out that the viewpoints of rebel movements are in harmony with preoccupations put forwards by members of the opposition coalition gathered in the United Stakeholders Force (UFVN).

It is also worth noting that various rebel movements suspected to be sponsored by former President Ange Felix Patasse have been operating in the northwest and northeast of the country since the 15 March 2003 power seizure of Gen Bozize. The UFDR rebels nearly overthrew the Bozize’s regime if French legionnaires did not intervene to drive them out of Birao.

Observers wonder whether Gen Bozize, who had made up his mind to organize the political dialogue in Bangui , will accept the conditions set by rebels in view of facilitating the holding the forum. Finally, it is commented that the margin of manoeuvre of the president is limited since he is under pressure by external donors to organize the forum in view of obtaining substantial financial aids promised during the Brussels round table on CAR.

Keywords:  central_africa conflict society