The Central African Republic’s President Francois Bozize speaks to the press on January 8 at the presidential palace in Bangui/AFP
“I don’t need to negotiate (my departure),” he said in response to a question at a press conference in the Central African capital Bangui on whether he was prepared to accept rebel demands.
“Does the rebellion represent the Centrafrican people? I don’t need to negotiate the position of head of state,” Bozize added, calling the rebels “terrorist mercenaries”.
The rebels have seized a string of key towns in the last month and have come within striking distance of Bangui.
The rebel offensive has raised international alarm of a prolonged conflict engulfing the mineral-rich, impoverished country known for coups and mutinies.
Delegations representing the 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.
Foreign ministers from the regional grouping the Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC), which will host the Libreville talks, also sat down for a meeting on Tuesday.
In a brief statement the regional bloc evoked “the complexity of the task” ahead of them.
The ministers “regretted that all parties continue to make incendiary statements” and called for an immediate ceasefire agreement.
After their meeting they also called on the government to opt for a regional approach to the crisis, a reference to the South African troop reinforcements sent to Bangui to back Bozize.
“Does the rebellion represent the Centrafrican people? I don’t need to negotiate the position of head of state,” Bozize added, calling the rebels “terrorist mercenaries”
The UN’s World Food Programme, which has suspended its operations in the country due to the security situation, meanwhile said hundreds of tonnes of food aid had been stolen from warehouses across the Central African Republic.
The Seleka rebel coalition launched its offensive in the north last month, accusing Bozize of not abiding by earlier peace deals.
Facing little resistance from 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 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.”
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