The government of the Central African Republic has extended an olive branch to the country’s most powerful rebel group, the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), urging them to rejoin peace talks.
The appeal comes after a top CPC leader, Ali Darassa, expressed a willingness to negotiate an end to hostilities.
Jean Willybiro-Sako, a government minister overseeing the 2019 peace agreement, issued a statement on Thursday encouraging all CPC leaders to return to the negotiating table.
Darassa, who had previously served as the group’s chief of general staff, announced a ceasefire last month and signaled his openness to dialogue.
President Faustin Archange Touadera had welcomed this move, calling on the rebels to lay down their arms.
However, the CPC’s exiled leader, former president Francois Bozize, swiftly dismissed Darassa, accusing him of insubordination.
Despite this internal conflict within the rebel group, the government remains hopeful for a peaceful resolution.
The minister has called on Darassa to officially appoint representatives for the peace process and to begin the process of disarming and demobilizing his forces.
The UN has already facilitated the surrender of 4,800 weapons, but the country continues to grapple with violence and instability caused by various armed groups.
The Central African Republic has been plagued by civil war since 2013, leading to widespread displacement and suffering.
The UN has classified it as the world’s second-least developed country.
While the intensity of fighting has decreased in recent years, the path to lasting peace remains fraught with challenges.