Sassou-Nguesso rejects talks

President Denis Sassou-Nguesso has reiterated his refusal to talk to the rebel opposition. “They would now like to force negotiation on us by violent means,” he told the French daily ‘Liberation’. “We will not negotiate with people who have destroyed the country and have knives in their teeth.” In the interview published on Monday, Sassou-Nguesso denied Cuban troops were fighting alongside his forces. He also said Angolan detachments have “practically left”, with units remaining only in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire and Dolisie. On the reports of indiscipline and human rights abuses among his soldiers, he said a “mind set we are attempting to alter has set in in this country”.

Sassou-Nguesso defended the eight-month record of his government. He noted his administration was burdened with the previous government’s debts, lack of donor help, and struggling with the fall in oil prices - all compounded by the continuing hostilities. He called again on his political rivals in exile to return “and run the opposition parties”. Meanwhile, Central African Republic President Ange-Felix Patasse said in Brazzaville on Wednesday he would be willing to mediate in the conflict, Radio France Internationale, monitored by the BBC, reported.