Central African rivals prepare for peace talks

Central African Republic rivals on Tuesday prepared for talks aimed at ending the latest conflict in their volatile country, which has seen rebels seize a string of key towns over the past month. The rebel offensive has raised international alarm of a new conflict engulfing the mineral-rich, impoverished country known for coups and mutinies. Delegations representing the impoverished nation's government, opposition and insurgents gathered in the capital of Gabon ahead of the negotiations, which have the blessing of regional powers, the United Nations and the United States. The government and opposition delegations landed in Libreville on Tuesday, a day after the rebels. The talks are expected to officially start sometime this week, with sources saying that one-on-one meetings could take place as early as Tuesday. The Seleka rebel coalition launched its offensive in the north on December 10, accusing President Francois Bozize of not abiding by earlier peace deals and eventually demanding that the former army general step down. Faced with an ill-trained and ill-equipped army, the rebel forces seized a string of key towns, defying UN Security Council calls to stop, before halting within striking distance of the capital Bangui. Ahead of the talks, rebel leader Michel Djotodia hinted that the insurgents could be flexible on their demand for Bozize to go. "I am not the one who will make Bozize step down," Djotodia told AFP en route to Libreville on Monday. "There is a coalition and also a democratic opposition that is there." "We will come together a little later and see what should be done," he said. "We cannot wage war without seeking peace and vice versa." Congo Republic President Denis Sassou Nguesso is serving as mediator for the talks. Bozize will be present in the city but is not expected to attend the talks, with the government delegation being headed by Higher Education Minister Jean Willybero-Sako. Willybero-Sako has voiced confidence that concessions that Bozize has made so far -- he has proposed a national unity government and said he would not try to seek an unconstitutional third mandate -- would go a long way toward resolving the conflict. The concessions "cleared a lot of obstacles," Willybero-Sako told AFP on Sunday. "That showed a certain willingness to go forward, to take into account everyone's concerns." Minister of Territorial Administration Josue Binoua has said the government would also propose "army reform, an economic stimulus plan and the implementation of a new electoral code" at the talks. Asked about a persistent rebel demand that Bozize step down, Willybero-Sako replied: "We have struggled -- rebels, opposition and government -- to provide our nation with a constitution that everyone now wants to see respected." Bozize, a former army general, came to power in a coup in 2003 and has been voted back into office twice, in 2005 and 2011. He has been suspected of wanting to modify the constitution to be allowed to seek a third term in 2016. Bozize made a quick trip Monday to Brazzaville to meet with Sassou Nguesso. Bozize has claimed the rebel movement was triggered by "elements coming from outside." The Seleka alliance of three rebel movements launched its assault on December 10 in the north of the Central African Republic, a mineral-rich country of five million that is notorious for coups. The insurgents are now in striking distance of the capital Bangui, near Sibut, 160 kilometres (100 miles) to the north. At first, the rebels were simply calling on the Bangui government to respect the terms of peace accords signed in 2007 and 2011. As their position strengthened, however, they began calling for Bozize to step down. The regional grouping the Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC) will host the Libreville talks. But the regional bloc has also sent more troops to strengthen FOMAC, its multinational intervention force in the country. They are deployed as a buffer force at Damara, 75 kilometres north of the capital Bangui.