CAR: Exiled president returns

  1. Posted on Friday 30 October 2009 - 08:45
    Mforgham
    Image of Mforgham
    Solomon Tembang Mforgham, AfricaNews reporter in Limbe, Cameroon Photo: Felix Patase. Credit: Daily Life
    Central African Republic's former president, Ange-Félix Patassé, who has since 2003 been in exile in Togo returned to the country with the intention to run in the presidential race billed for 2010.
    Felix Patase Photo: Daily Life
    According to an announcement from Patassé’s spokesman, he arrived on 28 October at 15:30 local time.

    The communiqué also indicated that the former Head of State made a stop in Tripoli at the invitation of Libyan leader Mouammar Gaddafi, the current chair of the African Union.

    According to the spokesman, Patassé thanked African leaders from friendly countries and international institutions for encouraging him to return and to participate in the next elections, which will mark a decisive step towards true democracy in the Central African Republic.

    Ahead of his return, he advised all who wanted to welcome him to the CAR to do so in an orderly and disciplined way, saying this would show the “unity and dignity in the hearts of his followers.”

    The government announced in August that nothing and no one was preventing the return of Patassé to the country, where the government, opposition and rebels are engaged in peace talks.

    The return of Patassé to participate in the 2010 elections has made the race to the presidency a much tougher contest.

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