#djotodia

[theafriquecontinentstuff]

Centrafrique: les ex-présidents Bozizé et Djotodia s'engagent pour la réconciliation

Centrafrique: les ex-présidents Bozizé et Djotodia s’engagent pour la réconciliation

Les ex-présidents centrafricains François Bozizé et Michel Djotodia, longtemps accusés de saper la transition dans leur pays, ont signé mardi à Nairobi une déclaration dans laquelle ils s’engagent à rejoindre le processus de réconciliation, a constaté un journaliste de l’AFP.

Nairobi a accueilli depuis début décembre, dans une certaine discrétion, des pourparlers de paix entre les deux groupes…

View On WordPress

[trackingcar]

Centrafrique : comment la France a précipité la fin de Michel Djotodia

Récit. Le président centrafricain, qui a démissionné vendredi, s'est révélé incapable de désarmer les milices qui menaçaient de faire sombrer le pays.

How France and Chad decided to let Djotodia fall after he lost control of the ex-Seleka fighters. Le Monde has the story, in French.

[trackingcar]

Residents in the Central African Republic celebrated the resignation of their president, Michel Djotodia, as a potential turning point in the recent fighting in their country. Many hoped it would signal an end to the violence between Mr. Djotodia’s Muslim rebel group, Seleka, and the Christian militia groups who oppose it.

The Lede's roundup of Djotodia's resignation, as seen on social media. The article also notes that a new interim president would be chosen in two weeks.

[trackingcar]

Jan. 10 - (Reuters) Central African Republic's interim president resigns following pressure from regional leaders to step down for failing to stop months of inter-religious violence in his country. Mana Rabiee reports.

Euronews reports as well, with a few more details.

[trackingcar]

New C.A.R. president Michel Djotodia steps down

Who will run CAR now? President and PM resigned. All MPs in Chad. #CARcrisis

— Piers Scholfield (@inglesi) 10 Janvier 2014

[trackingcar]

Background: The Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (Union des Forces Démocratiques pour le Rassemblement, UFDR)

The UFDR is a rebel group created to address marginalization of the Gula ethnic group in northeastern CAR.

In 2006 the UFDR started taking control of strategic diamond-producing towns in northeastern CAR and advancing on Bangui. At the time, Damane Zakaria was the UFDR’s commander on the ground, while Michel Djotodia was active as one of the group’s leaders.

So serious was the UFDR offensive that French troops had to step in to assist the Bozizé government in December 2006.

The UFDR signed a peace agreement in May 2007 with the CAR government and the Libreville Comprehensive Peace Agreement in June 2008, after which it continued to maintain influence over the diamond trade in the Haute-Kotto province.

Its ranks include men who helped overthrow former president Ange-Félix Patassé in 2003 and who felt they were never adequately compensated by President Bozizé.

Source: HRW

[trackingcar]

Background: The Seleka

The Seleka was created in late 2012.

Its main factions are the Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace (CPJP), the Patriotic Convention for the Salvation of Kodro (CPSK), the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR) and to a lesser extent the Union of Republican Forces (UFR) and the Alliance for the Rebirth and Rebuilding (A2R).

Initially, the Seleka called for the implementation of the recommendations of the Inclusive Political Dialogue (IPD)—held in 2008 to create conditions for peaceful elections in 2010. At that time, the Seleka was looking for: financial compensation for the rebels; the release of political prisoners; and the opening of investigations into past crimes including the disappearance of former CPJP leader Charles Massi.

The Libreville Agreement forged between the Seleka and the Bozizé government in January 2013 aimed to provide a road map for a political transition and ceasefire.

In February 2013, Michel Djotodia was named deputy prime minister and defense minister. The following month, both sides resumed fighting, and the Seleka took Bangui in late March.

Source: HRW

[trackingcar]

Michel Djotodia to step down on January 9, 2013, according to Reuters

Central African president to step down at regional summit- sources #CAR

— Reuters Africa (@ReutersAfrica)

8 Janvier 2014