Rebels sign agreement on unity government in CAR

The rebel coalition known as Séléka signed an agreement to call a ceasefire and form a government of national unity in the Central African Republic (CAR) with President François Bozizé on 11 January.

Under the new power-sharing agreement, which was also signed by the political opposition, Bozizé will be allowed to continue in his role until the end of his current mandate in 2016. The accord will allow for the appointment of a new prime minister, who must be a member of the opposition. The new prime minister will remain immune from replacement by Bozizé during a one year transition period, after which a parliamentary election will be held.

The Séléka rebels took control of large areas of the country during a rapid offensive that began on 10 December 2012. Having taken over key towns and transport routes in the northern part of the country, the rebels looked set to advance on the capital Bangui, but were dissuaded from doing so by the arrival of troops from Chad, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, and South Africa.

The government of national unity is composed of groups whose goals are anything but united. According to AFP, some residents in Bangui are concerned over the possibility of a power struggle as Bozizé attempts to maintain his grip on the country.