C. African rebel groups call for ceasefire ahead of elections

A rebel coalition that fought the government in the Central African Republic said on Friday it was canceling a three-day ceasefire ahead of a tense general election this weekend.

The Coalition of Patriots for Change (CCP), which launched an offensive against the government a week ago, said in a statement it had “decided to break its self-imposed 72-hour truce. and resume its relentless march towards its final goal. “.

In the statement, confirmed to AFP as genuine by two of the six coalition groups, the CCP said it made the decision “in the face of” the government’s irresponsible stubbornness. “

The signatories of the cease-fire had “invited the authorities to observe the cease-fire over the same period” and called on President Faustin Archange Touadera to suspend the presidential and legislative elections on Sunday.

But government spokesman Ange-Maxime Kazagui rejected the ceasefire on Thursday, saying it was “a non-event” and that “we haven’t seen these people stop what they’re doing” .

The rebel coalition said on Friday that the government had “cavalierly rejected” this “chance for peace”.

“Several attacks followed against positions occupied by the CCP patriots,” the statement said.

The authenticity of the declaration was confirmed by two armed groups – the 3R and the Popular Front for the Renaissance of Central Africa (FPRC).

General Bobo, the leader of the 3R, told AFP that “now either the government is dispersing us or we are marching on Bangui, which is our final objective.”

Fighting had resumed in Bakouma, about 250 kilometers (155 miles) east of the capital Bangui, according to Vladimir Monteiro, spokesperson for the UN MINUSCA peacekeeping force.

The CCP was created on December 19 by armed groups who accuse Touadera, the favorite in Sunday’s election, of trying to fix the vote.

Its components come from militias which together control two-thirds of the country.

Over the weekend, the government accused Touadera’s ousted predecessor, François Bozize, of plotting a coup with the rebels, a charge it denies.

Armed men had sought to descend the main highways towards Bangui, but were arrested, according to MINUSCA.