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.
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.
AFCON: 46 hurt in Zambia victory celebrations09/02
African Peer Review Mechanism making progress08/02
Combating HIV infections among African women08/02
Legume cultivation booms in Western Kenya07/02
Malawi vendors chase out Chinese07/02
Zim: Informal sector urged to join HIV battle05/02
Elections: Wole Soyinka warns Mugabe, Wade03/02
AU elections rescheduled for June in Malawi01/02
