The return of François Bozizé to the Central African political scene has not failed to arouse attention and debate. Former president of the Central African Republic, Bozizé was overthrown in 2013 by a coalition of armed groups, leading the country into a spiral of violence and internal conflicts.
However, his recent conviction in absentia to forced labor for life for “conspiracy” and “rebellion” has sowed trouble and rekindled questions about his role in the instability of the Central African Republic. This conviction, handed down by the Bangui Court of Appeal, also concerned two of his sons and twenty co-accused, including important rebel leaders.
The civil war that has been tearing the country apart since 2013 has claimed thousands of lives and forced many people to flee their homes. The standoff between armed groups, mainly anti-balaka factions and the CPC rebel coalition led by Bozizé, has plunged the country into chaos and a major humanitarian crisis.
In this context, the return of Bozizé as leader of the CPC has been greeted with suspicion and concern, because for some he represents a symbol of division and violence. The Central African authorities, for their part, reaffirmed their determination to pursue those responsible for the violence and attacks on state security.
It is therefore essential to find a peaceful and inclusive solution to get the Central African Republic out of this impasse. This requires negotiations between the different actors, sincere dialogue and national reconciliation. There is also a need to strengthen institutions and state capacity to ensure security and promote socio-economic development.
In conclusion, the conviction of François Bozizé and his return to the Central African political scene raise many questions and awaken tensions in a country already weakened by the civil war. The search for a peaceful solution and the building of a national consensus are essential to get the Central African Republic out of the crisis and lead the country on the path to stability and development.