He said he went to SRI in order to implement the provisions of amnesty bill promulgated by President Francois Bozize on 17 October 2008, and which provided for the liberation of all civil and military members of rebel movements operating in the country.

He availed himself of that opportunity to warn liberated former rebels against reoffending since the amnesty bill clearly provided for the cancellation of its effect in case of a subsequent offense. “After going out, you go back to your former rebel activities, you will be arrested and tried for all previous offenses,” Maleyombo said.

Maleyombo who was escorted by Firmin Feindiro, state prosecutor, affirmed that the liberation operation would be extended to other country’s detention centers and prisons.

Observers wonder why the government waited for seven good days before releasing the prisoners after the promulgation of the amnesty bill. This delay may be due to controversies around the provisions of the said bill since the more active rebel movement in the northern part of the country, People’s Army for Restoration Democracy, APRD, is opposed to it arguing that it is a trap set by the government to get hold of rebels and deal with them. The same observers deplore that nothing is said about victims of the amnestied slaughterers.

APRD together with United Stakeholders Force, a coalition of democratic opposition, protests against that the enactment of the law was not on consensus.

A military officer close to Jean Jacques Demafouth, APRD leader, Alfred Service, who was arrested in connection with “Kembe massacre”, declared, “I thank God for being alive and free. I am soldier; I did not harm civilians. I only accomplished missions assigned to me by my superiors.” It should be recalled that during Patasse’s regime, Major Alfred Service, headed a death squadron upon the directive of the then Defense Minister, Jean Jacques Demafouth, to Kembe in order to slaughter pro-Kolingba soldiers and gendarmes.

It is worth noting that CAR is currently undergoing military crises with the occupation of some portions of national territory by rebel movements. In a move to restore peace and security, political actors agreed in Libreville to hold an inclusive political dialogue.

The principle of the general amnesty is contained in the Libreville accord as a major step for paving the way to the holding of the national forum in Bangui. It was agreed in Libreville that the promulgation of the amnesty law would facilitate the return and free movements of protagonists willing to attend the inclusive political dialogue.