CAR PM 'fails to play by rules'
2009-01-21 07:45
Bangui - The Central African Republic's main opposition grouping said on Tuesday it refused to join Prime Minister Faustin-Archange Touadera's government because he failed to play by allegedly established rules.
The UFVN coalition which groups the radical opposition did not enter the government ranks "because we believe that we need an exceptional government", its coordinator Henri Pouzere told AFP.
"Because traditionally when you are looking for... a lasting peace, certain rules have to be set. We believe that these rules have not been respected."
Touadera named representatives of rebels and other political opponents in a new 31-minister government on Monday.
Of symbolic importance was the nomination of Francois Naouyama from the Popular Army for the Restoration of Democracy rebel movement, the main rebel group active in the north since 2005, which was handed the environment and ecology portfolio.
President Francois Bozize dissolved the government on Sunday, having promised a new unity administration following peace talks in December aimed at halting a near civil war.
The UFVN has called for Touadera's resignation since his first appointment in January last year, arguing that the country needed a prime minister with opposition roots who was acceptable to all parties to the peace talks.
One of the world's poorest countries, Central African Republic has been racked for years by insecurity with rebel groups, bandits and government troops blamed for widespread criminal activity.