BANGUI, 20 March (IRIN) - The opposition
alliance, the Concertation des partis politiques d'opposition, which groups
12 parties, has offered its full support to Francois Bozize, the former
army chief of staff who declared himself the new leader of the Central
African Republic after overthrowing President Ange-Felix Patasse in a coup
last Saturday.
In a statement released on Wednesday,
the opposition alliance chairman, Abel Goumba, said the group would vigorously
oppose any attempt to reinstate Patasse as president, and that it would
support all steps taken to manage a transitional period. Goumba, who was
received by Bozize on Tuesday, told IRIN that the alliance was ready to
take part in a national transitional council, in which former heads of
state would participate as honorary members. "The council will act
as a law-making body," he said.
Bozize's coup has been condemned by several international institutions, such as the African Union and the UN, and also by a number of heads of state.
The opposition alliance has urged the people to turn out in force for a peaceful demonstration soon to be organised as a sign of support for Bozize.
[ENDS]
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