Political opposition rejects call for peacekeeping force

Opposition political parties in the Central African Republic (CAR) have rejected a proposed plan to deploy a regional peacekeeping force in the country, news agencies reported on Thursday. A meeting held on Monday in Khartoum, Sudan, under the auspices of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (COMESA) called for a regional peacekeeping force consisting of soldiers from member states to help resolve ongoing unrest in the CAR. In response, a coalition of 14 opposition parties issued a statement that "categorically rejected" what they said was a "make-believe peacekeeping force". They also called it a thinly-veiled attempt by Libya to keep CAR President Ange-Felix Patasse in power, AFP reported on Wednesday. Following a failed coup launched on 28 May, Libya sent troops to support forces loyal to Patasse in efforts to quash a rebellion by former CAR president Andre Kolingba. Libya sent additional troops in early November, following hostilities that erupted when former CAR army chief of staff Gen. Francois Bozize resisted arrest on 2 November for questioning in connection with the failed May coup. Delegates at the Khartoum meeting included representatives from the CAR, Chad, Libya, Sudan, Zambia, as well as the Organisation of African Unity and the UN. However, a subsequent meeting held on Tuesday and Wednesday in Libreville, Gabon, under the auspices of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central African States (CEMAC), made scant mention of a peacekeeping force, calling instead for a political solution. Radio France Internationale reported on Wednesday that a final communique from CEMAC called for the creation of an ad hoc commission charged with bringing together political, civil and military actors involved in tensions that erupted on 2 November. CEMAC also called on Patasse to take conciliatory measures to reduce hostilities, such as granting amnesty to opponents such as Kolingba and Bozize. Neither Kolingba, whose whereabouts remain unknown, nor Bozize, who is currently seeking refuge in Chad, participated in either of the meetings. Attendees at the Libreville meeting included presidents Patasse, Idriss Deby of Chad, Omar Bongo of Gabon, and Republic of Congo's Denis Sassou-Nguesso. Patasse has held power since winning elections in 1993, ending Kolingba's 12-year military rule.