Potential Hot Spots: March 21, 2003

Archives

Important political forces (including the former ruling party) have already offered their full support to the CAR's new leader, General Bozize. Twelve opposition parties allied under the Concentrated Opposition Political Parties (CPPO) have declared themselves ready to take part in the transitional administration. 

Meanwhile, the French minister of state for cooperation had told the press on the 19th that "I am saying it again - and the French government said it officially - that this country has fallen victim to a military coup. And as far as we are concerned, this situation is absolutely unacceptable". Apparently, Paris' thinks their choice of a new leader is the only acceptable one. 

If anything, Bozize is being prudent if not downright responsible. He admitted that MLPC militiamen were responsible for most of the looting and had the Chadian troops disarm the very rebels that put him in power, which irritated the rebels into levying charges of betrayal against the new leader. The presence of the Chadian troops apparently reassured the population, enough that city traffic has resumed even though the gas stations remain closed. Some shops have also reopened. - Adam Geibel

 

Article Archive

Potential Hot Spots: Current 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999