The announcement has been hailed as “appeasing measures” taken in the framework of the amnesty law promulgated on 13 October 2008. Political watchers say it is a major step towards the launching of the DDR process, whose modalities were defined in Libreville during the third session of the fellow up meeting of the global peace accords signed by rebels.

Reports say “other appeasing measures” in favour of civilians are expected to be taken by the authorities in coming days.

The decree No 09.009 dated 16 January 2009 reinstates Lt Kette who was sacked from the army by decree No 95.063 signed by Ange Felix Patasse. He went into exile after Patasse took power in 1993, fearing for his life. He returned to Bangui after the 15 March 2003 political change but left into another exile after misunderstandings with defense and security forces. He joined the Movement of Central African Liberators for Justice, MLJC, led by Abakar Sabone.

Ndjadder, the leader of the first rebel movement known as Union of Republican Forces, established his strongholds in the northwest locality of Paoua before going to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Larmassoum of the People’s Army for Restoration of Democracy was arrested during an infiltration operation in Bangui. He was tried and sentenced to jail.