The President of Angola, too, expressed, in a press release, "great concern" about the latest developments concerning the political and security situation in the CAR, which "have led the country to the deterioration of the security situation and extreme violence that particularly affect the civilian population.
The conclusions and decisions of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the ICGR of 20 November regarding the CAR were stressed by João Lourenço, who reiterated his unconditional support to the people of that country, in accordance with the Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and the principles relating to the protection of human rights, enshrined in the various instruments of the organization.
"The summit condemns the acts of some political actors and armed groups, including signatories of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation (APPR-RCA), which aim at destabilizing the country and therefore deprive the Central African people of their right to vote," reads the communiqué.
The ICFTU, in line with the positions of the United Nations, the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC) and other partners, also called on the various protagonists to cease all hostilities that jeopardize the efforts for peace and national reconciliation, and also urged the parties involved to avoid taking power by force.
The appeal also called for respect for state institutions and full engagement in the ongoing process, so that elections can be held, in accordance with the constitutionally established deadlines, in a peaceful, credible and transparent environment.
The Central African Republic holds presidential elections on Sunday after a growing tension in the last week, marked by the establishment of a coalition of leaders of the three main armed groups that occupy much of the territory of the CAR and conduct an offensive in the north and west of the country.
The Central African Republic was devastated by civil war after a coalition of Muslim-dominated armed groups, Séléka, overthrew President François Bozizé's regime in 2013.
Clashes between Séléka and Christian militias and anti-Balaka animists caused thousands of deaths.
Since 2018, the war has evolved into a low-intensity conflict in which armed groups compete for control of the country's resources, mainly livestock and minerals, and regularly commit abuses against the civilian population.
