Opposition salutes coup, opposes reinstatement of Patasse

The opposition alliance, the Concertation des partis politiques d'opposition, which groups 12 parties, has offered its full support to Francois Bozize, the former army chief of staff who declared himself the new leader of the Central African Republic after overthrowing President Ange-Felix Patasse in a coup last Saturday. In a statement released on Wednesday, the opposition alliance chairman, Abel Goumba, said the group would vigorously oppose any attempt to reinstate Patasse as president, and that it would support all steps taken to manage a transitional period. Goumba, who was received by Bozize on Tuesday, told IRIN that the alliance was ready to take part in a national transitional council, in which former heads of state would participate as honorary members. "The council will act as a law-making body," he said. Bozize’s coup has been condemned by several international institutions, such as the African Union and the UN, and also by a number of heads of state. The opposition alliance has urged the people to turn out in force for a peaceful demonstration soon to be organised as a sign of support for Bozize.