By Lawrence Audu
The 20,000 capacity Barthélémy Boganda Stadium in the Central African Republic’s capital Bangui on the 30th March, once again came alive, filled to the brim as security forces struggle to control the surging crowd who have besieged the facility. One would initially think it was a World Cup final in one of the world’s popular stadia, but for the political inscriptions of various kinds in support of the country’s president, Professor Faustin Archange Touadera, whose second anniversary into his second term is being celebrated amid pomp and pageantry.
The event is coming barely a day after the remarkable celebration of the anniversary of the country’s founding President Barthélémy Boganda whose commitment and pan Africanist vision as well as legacies and dreams of a prosperous nation, are today being reincarnated by President Touadera who spares no effort and energy for the liberation of his country from the yoke of a few external powers.
Speaking at the anniversary celebration Touadera noted that the country was a victim of geostrategic aims linked to its natural resources which had made it face foreign interference that kept it dependent, insecure and unstable. He decried that the Central African Republic has always been considered, wrongly, by certain Western powers, as a reserve of strategic raw materials that it had been subjected since its independence to systematic looting, facilitated by the political instability maintained by certain Western countries or their companies which finance armed terrorist groups whose main leaders are foreign mercenaries.
“The recurring attacks by armed terrorist groups were aimed at making our country ungovernable, at preventing the State from exercising its right of sovereignty over natural resources and its legitimate right to self-determination.
“The terrorist attacks directed against mining investors aim to prevent the State, deprived of budgetary aid for more than three years, from benefiting from the financial resources drawn from the exploitation of gold and diamonds, with a view to provoking the salary arrears, pensions, scholarships, soaring prices of basic necessities.
“It is obviously a question of creating the conditions for a social explosion in order to justify a coup d’état constantly in preparation.
“The most recent manifestation of this policy of terror led by the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) is the terrorist attack perpetrated on Sunday, March 19, at the Gold Coast Group mining site in Chimbolo, 25 Km from Bambari, which cost the lives of nine (9) Chinese nationals.” Touadera said.
Realizing that there can be no meaningful development and prosperity without peace, President Touadera whose undoubtable determination is to restore lasting peace in the country, last year inaugurated the republican dialogue for reconciliation and development which is expected to right the wrongs and heal the nation. The President who considered the dialogue as the last straight line out of the crisis, was as emphatic as he was clear that no significant development can thrive in an atmosphere of rancour.
“The fratricidal military political crisis has claimed too many victims. We must lighten our hearts, rid ourselves of the spirits of crisis by advocating a bright future for our fellow citizens”, indicated President Touadera.
President Touadéra promised in his social project to build the Central African Republic in peace and national unity.
“We must trust each other for all reason for the better future and unite all around the ideals of peace.” “Several forums have taken place in this country.
The reasons for the failures are not political, economic and social. But they reside in our hearts, fueling the violence that leads to the crisis of confidence between political actors, who do not always place in a defensive position,” added President Touadera.
Following years of civil unrest, the country of 5 million has moved from a zero-army to over 17,000 troops in the armed forces in the last 7 years with the assistance of Russian forces and the European Union Training Mission. Although the UN maintains a strong presence, but the civil populace has continued to view them with suspicion while calling on them to leave.
The security challenges in the last few weeks no doubt represent some setbacks to the peace process being pursued by the Touadera administration but against western media propaganda, the country has moved from what the world knew it for in the last few years. The economic landscape has greatly changed since the country began opening up for Foreign Direct Investment, many businesses have begun setting up structures to not only benefit from the abundant natural resources, but also contribute to the economic development of the country.
A greater percentage of the citizens agree that President Touadera has actually done well which is why the call for a referendum has continued to gather momentum with rallies and processions of various kinds in his support. Reading from the countenance of the demonstrators, their resolve to prove the obsolescence of the current Constitution in the eyes of the International Community cannot be overemphasized. Their aspiration no doubt is for a better future for the first time through a new Constitution, adapted to their reality for a stable and prosperous Central African Republic.
If the referendum comes through and the constitution is amended, it provides a unique opportunity for Professor Touadera who has been credited for the restoration of peace, security and economic development in the country, to run for a third term in office. Although the move has angered some members of the opposition who are mostly loyal to the former President Francois Bozize who is being accused of aiding the CPC rebels, but a greater majority thinks the new found peace is more profitable to jettison for another round of armed conflict.
For now, apart from building partnerships with potential investors and friends of the country, Touadera devotes his weekends to his new found love Kwa Ti Kodro an environmental cause aimed at improving sanitation where he connects directly with his people.