Kolingba regains army rank

Former Central African Republic (CAR) President Andre Kolingba, who was sentenced to death in absentia in August 2002 for involvement in a coup attempt, has had his army rank of lieutenant general restored to him, under a presidential decree. Government-run Radio Centrafrique reported on Monday that the current leader, Francois Bozize, signed the decree restoring Kolingba’s rank and full army retirement benefits when he returns home from exile. However, he will not be a serving officer. Kolingba, who was president from 1981 to 1993, had retired from the army as a lieutenant general. However, former President Ange-Felix Patasse demoted him to private for his alleged involvement in the failed coup of 28 May 2001. The courts also sentenced 20 others accomplices to death. Another 800 people, mostly from Kolingba's Yakoma ethnic group, got lighter sentences. Bozize ousted Patasse in a coup on 15 March. Kolingba’s military rehabilitation coincides with his tour of the central African subregion, to pave the way for his return home. He has toured Chad and Gabon, whose president, Omar Bongo, has played a key role in the resolution of the CAR crisis. During a visit to Chad in early May, Bozize announced that he would guarantee Kolingba's security should he return home. Bozize had previously granted amnesty to all the convicts of the 28 May 2001 coup attempt. Kolingba's party, the Rassemblement democratique centrafricain, has one minister in the transitional government established by Bozize, and will be represented in the National Transitional Council that is still to be inaugurated. Kolingba has not announced a date for his return.