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Government seizes more mines

    BANGUI
    The leader of the Central African Republic, Francois Bozize has withdrawn mining licences from 20 individuals and firms and ordered their mines seized, government-run Radio Centrafrique reported on Thursday. Those affected by the measure include Sophie Dondon, wife of Appolinaire Dondon Konamabaye, former speaker of the national assembly dissolved by Bozize soon after his 15 March coup against Ange Felix Patasse. They also include Victor Boucher, a junior minister in Patasse’s government and a number of foreigners. The measure is part of a wide-ranging campaign against corruption in vital revenue-generating sectors. Similar measures were taken against a number of timber, mining and oil companies. Three firms owned by Patasse had already been suspended. Eight others were suspended on Wednesday after they had refused to be audited by an inter-ministerial commission. Mining is the CAR’s second most important source of revenue after timber. The government has suspended mining throughout the country, pending the establishment of a national mining policy and judicial investigations.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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