Central African Republic rebels form political party

BANGUI, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC - Aug 17 2008 09:36

Authorities in the Central African Republic gave the green light on Saturday for a leading rebel group headed by a former defence minister to form a political party.

"The political party known as the New Alliance for Progress [NAP] has been accorded the right to operate on Central African territory," according to an Interior Ministry document authorising the move.

The decision comes two weeks after the rebel group, the Popular Army for the Restoration of Democracy, withdrew from peace talks after opposing draft amnesty legislation being discussed in Parliament, among other grievances.

Both the rebel group and the NAP are headed by former defence minister Jean-Jacques Demafouth, currently in exile in France.

One of the world's poorest nations, the Central African Republic faces a financial crisis hampered by insecurity in its northern territories, where rebels, bandits and highwaymen have been battling government troops since President Francois Bozize's election victory in 2005. -- Sapa-AFP

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Central African Republic rebels form political party

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