{{Delegations representing Central African Republic’s government and the rebels who now control much of the country’s north headed Monday to hold peace talks in Gabon, though already there are concerns about what will happen if those negotiations fail.}}<\/p>\n
This week’s meetings in Libreville, Gabon, come a month after fighters from several armed groups began their rebellion against a government that has wielded little power over its vast and sparsely populated north.<\/p>\n
While the rebels have halted their advance toward the capital of Bangui, a city of 700,000 people, they now hold a dozen communities.<\/p>\n
The rebellion has posed the greatest threat to President Francois Bozize’s presidency since he himself seized power in 2003.<\/p>\n
Bozize already has offered up the possibility of a coalition government, a proposal the rebels have dismissed. A rebel spokesman has said the fighters want Bozize gone, a stipulation that could derail talks altogether.<\/p>\n
Some residents of this nation of 4.4 million have little faith the government will be able to reach a lasting agreement with the rebels, especially given that multiple peace accords already have been signed over the years with multiple groups.<\/p>\n
“Even if the rebel leaders reach an agreement with the Bangui government, their people on the ground will not get their piece of cake,” said Henry Yenzapa, 42, a history professor at the University of Bangui. <\/p>\n
“They’re just carrying out a formality in Libreville in order to return, and the Central African crisis will never be resolved.”<\/p>\n
Wirestory<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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