Central African Republic: Bozize to Transform Rebel Group Into Political Party

Nairobi — The Central African Republic's (CAR) leading rebel, Francois Bozize, intends to transform his movement into a political party, Jeune Afrique L'intelligent, a Paris-based magazine, reported on the Internet on Tuesday. The party is to be called the Rassemblement des patriotes pour un renouveau en Centrafrique, the weekly reported.

Bozize, who is exiled in France, is "collaborating with" the Coordination des patriotes centrafricains - an umbrella of exiled opposition groups led by Karim Meckassoua. In the short term, L'intelligent reported, this coalition was demanding negotiations with CAR President Ange-Felix Patasse and a general amnesty for the rebels. In the medium term, the coalition wants a transitional government formed and for Patasse to declare formally that he will not run for office at the end of his term in 2005.

...

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.