In the Central African Republic, Ali Darassa, head of the armed group Unity for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC), issued a statement Monday evening pledging to withdraw from the armed movement of the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), led by François Bozizé against the government of Faustin-Archange Touadéra.
With a press release from the head of the UPC, announcing his withdrawal from the CPC movement, François Bozizé loses the bulk of his armed troops in the east of the Central African Republic. The CPC has been seeking to overthrow President Faustin Archange Touadéra for four months now. There are several reasons for Ali Darassa's withdrawal from the UPC.
On the one hand, the man was de facto the head of the CPC when François Bozizé still denied his involvement in the insurgency. Although the CPC began its offensive to put Bozizé in power, the former head of state was never officially the leader of the armed groups before March 20.
On the other hand, in his statement, Darassa and his officers admit the futility of the civil war in which they participated. "Since the start of the electoral crisis, the population has suffered greatly from insecurity, health conditions, famine and lack of humanitarian aid," the statement read. The UPC continues: "We reiterate our commitment to the Khartoum Accord process", a peace agreement concluded in February 2029 between the Central African government and 14 armed groups, including the UPC.
What will the Central African government do?
After the humanitarian crisis caused by the civil war, it is difficult, but not impossible, for the Touadéra government to negotiate with the rebel groups. The Central African president has declared himself ready to enter into negotiations with the political opposition, but has ruled out any discussion with "foreign mercenaries", such as Ali Darassa Mahamat, originally from Niger.
The Central African government is in a strong position, and it is in its interest to turn armed groups against each other. If Touadéra does not accept the surrender of the UPC, the members of this organization will have no other alternative but to support Bozizé's war. Moreover, if the government does not show some flexibility, other armed groups will be dissuaded from turning against the CPC. Finally, the CAR badly needs a truce, even in part of its territory, as well as a semblance of national unity.
Increasingly popular touadera
On the side of the UPC, the capitulation comes after three events. The first is the offensive by Central African troops, who retook the capital Bangui in February with the help of Rwandan soldiers and Russian paramilitaries. Then, on March 12, the UN Security Council approved an increase of 3 troops for the benefit of the Minusca peacekeepers.
Finally, on April 2, the leader of another powerful armed group was pronounced dead. Sidiki Abass, head of Return, Complaints and Rehabilitation (3R), died Friday from injuries, he was hit at the end of November. A death which upset the balance of power within the CPC.
Since François Bozizé announced his takeover of the rebellion, the CPC is gradually crumbling. What to give a little hope to the refugees surrounded in Bangui for two months, under the protection of the army and the Minusca. But above all, enough to embellish the image of Touadéra, which is becoming more and more popular and which now offers itself an opportunity to turn the civil war to the advantage of the Central African government.