CAR reconciliation forum opens

The transition President of the Central African Republic, Catherine Samba-Panza officially opened deliberations on the Bangui Forum on Peace and Reconciliation on Monday, May 4, 2015 in the capital Bangui, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso who in the international mediator in the peace process in the country, Radio Ndeke Luka reported.

The ceremony at the hemicycle of the National Transitional Council (CNT) which is the transitional National Assembly was attended by delegates from the socio-cultural, economic and political strata of the Central African Republic society both at home and from the Diaspora and representatives of the international community.

The various delegates used the occasion to express their expectations as to the outcome of the forum whose objective is to chart the way forward for post-conflict peace, stability, economic renaissance and democracy whose hallmark will be elections to be organised later this year that end the transition process.

The President of the National Transitional Council, Alexandre Ferdinand Nguendet reportedly expressed the desire for elections to hold as soon as possible, stating that it is only the return to constitutional normalcy that partners could mobilise to rescue the country.

Denise Madina Djoko, the local administrative authority of l'Ombella M'Poko said they were expecting reconciliation from their hearts and called on the citizens to re-unite.

Herbert Gontran Djono Ahaba, President of Rassemblement patriotique pour le renouveau de Centrafrique ( RPRC) political party called on the people to speak out for true reconciliation to become a reality.

The forum many experts and international observers have variously described as that of the last chance for peace will be a veritable occasion to lay the bases and define strategies and actions to achieve forgiveness, national cohesion, veritable reconciliation among the citizens in order to put the country back on the rails after the devastating conflict by the two rival armed groups, the Anti-balaka and ex-Seleka.

From May 4-11, 2015 the over 600 participants have work with the consciousness that the future of the country will depend on the outcome of the forum. Activities will therefore, revolve around the key themes that include justice and reconciliation, peace and security, governance and the state of law and governance and development.