afrol News, 5 August - Major rebel groups and other opposition parties stormed out of peace talks aimed at stopping political instability in Central African Republic.

The talks which are in preparation for a national political dialogue, saw both rebels and opposition walk out in protest over an amnesty which they complained that they said was designed to protect president Francois Bozize's men.

Mr Bozize overthrew President Ange-Felix Patasse in 2003 and his fighters are accused of wide-ranging abuses against civilians both during his uprising and during years of sporadic civil conflict that had followed.

CAR insurgents and opposition said laws presented to National Assembly last week were designed to pardon both government and rebel forces since Mr Patasse's overthrowing in March 2003.

The presented laws specifically did not cover crimes committed by Bozize's enemies, rebel leaders Jean-Jacques Demafouth and Abdoulaye Miskine, and Patasse himself, all of whom are subject to current legal action, the groups complained.

Central African Republic's government and two rebel groups have signed a peace accord in June in Gabonese capital, Libreville.

An agreement which calls for demobilisation of all rebel fighters follows other agreements signed in February and April 2007, seeking to find a common ground for a country and also entails amnesty for rebel fighters and pledges to reintegrate them into civilian life.

Restoration for the Republic and Democracy (APRD) launched its northwestern rebellion soon after Mr Bozize took power and have since waged a sporadic campaign against Bozize's army and presidential guard in a conflict that has forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes.

Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR) also launched its own uprising with Sudan's Darfur region, and occupied Birao and other towns in the area before being forced out by government troops helped by French forces.

APRD president Jean-Jaques Demafouth, has accused government of abusing its trust over the amnesty and said talks could only work if there was a general amnesty and detained APRD members were freed.

CAR, one of the world's poorest nations, faces a financial crisis as well as insecurity in northern territories, held hostage by rebels, bandits and highwaymen fighting with government troops ever since Mr Bozize's victory in presidential elections in 2005.

CAR has suffered through decades of coups and military revolts since gaining independence in 1960. United Nations says unrest in the country has forced more than 300,000 people to flee their homes.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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