François Bozizé, former Central African Republic President, and Michel Djotodia have been enemies for a long time. On Friday, Bangui saw an unexpected half-hour private meeting between the two enemies. Michel Djotodia assumed the former president’s position after overthrowing him from power byways of the Muslim-majority militia coalition Seléka. This incident happened seven years ago.
#Centrafrique/ Les frères ennemis se réconcilient? Michel #Djotodia en "visite de courtoisie" chez François #Bozize ce début d'après midi. pic.twitter.com/eun9lyGDPK
— Bamako Olokoni (@Bamako56146899) September 11, 2020
The former Central African Republic President
The former Central African Republic President had been in exile for quite some time. He was also placed under United Nations (UN) sanctions on the thought of supporting anti-balaka self-defense groups-a group dominated by animists and Christians.
The 2013 coup spiraled now one of the poorest nations in Africa into massacre filled clashes of ethnic communities. The UN has accused both coalitions of war crimes. They have since taken most civilian lives since they started the criminal activities. The number of fatalities is between 3000 and 6000, most of them being civilians.
After the brief meeting, Michel Djotodia, former Central African president, shared some words,
“I believe that he is a man of peace, there is no need to attribute intentions that are not his own to him. I assure you that we get along well. There are no worries.”
The Next Elections
The encounter which took place the day before, in the presence of the current president Faustin Archange Touadéra came at the height of the presidential electoral calendar delay rumors.
Members of civil society, the opposition parties, and the comments in the Central African media tell a different story towards the presidential and legislative elections of December 27. Many are convinced that they will postpone these events.
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Behind the Curtain
Since 2016, the civil war in the Central African Republic has shown a phase of low intensity. That’s not enough; two-thirds of the nation is still under rebel militiamen. The militiamen often subject civilians to abusive treatments. This incident happens despite the February 2019 peace agreement signed in Khartoum between 14 armed groups and the government.
