On Sunday, the major opposition Coalition called for the general elections to be postponed in Central Africa Republic because of violence by armed groups outside the capital Bangui, but the government insisted the vote would go ahead.
The authorities on Saturday had accused former president Francois Bozize of plotting a coup after his candidacy was rejected. United Nations peacekeepers also dispersed armed rebel groups occupying roads and towns near Bangui.
Fighting was going on in several towns, including Mbaiki, about 100 km (62 miles) from Bangui on Sunday, according to one security source and two humanitarian sources.
What is the Central African Republic Main Opposition Saying?
The opposition alliance in Central African Republic, called Cod2020, which includes Bozize, said violence was preventing presidential and parliamentary candidates from campaigning and had led to the destruction of electoral material and threats in almost all provincial centres, without providing details.
The Opposition in a statement, said it “noted the impossibility of pursuing an electoral campaign in current insecure conditions,” and demanded the postponement of the vote until stability is restored.
The Central African Republic government said it was doing everything possible to ensure the vote could take place as planned, deploying troops alongside U.N. peacekeepers to regain control of occupied towns.
“There is no plan B, the elections will take place on December 27,” government spokesman Ange Maxime Kazagui said.
It is reported that a number of planes from Russia, an ally of President Faustin-Archange, landed in Central African Republic this weekend, the security source and a source at the airport said.
The Russian foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment on whether Russia had sent planes. It has previously sent arms and security contractors to Central African Republic, while Russian national Valery Zakharov is a security adviser to Touadera.
In a statement on Saturday, the Russian foreign ministry said a representative had talked with Central African Republic’s foreign minister by phone to reaffirm Russia’s support for the country and its government’s efforts to ensure security.
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