The African Union (AU) has warned against any attempt to seize power by force in Central African Republic (CAR). In a statement on Monday, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, chairperson of the AU Commission, reiterated the total rejection of any attempt to seize power by force, or the recourse to armed rebellion to further political claims. The AU says such an attempt poses a serious threat to peace and security in Africa, undermining the ongoing democratic process and socio-economic development efforts on the continent. The chairperson welcomed the reaffirmation by CAR President Francois Bozize to work towards a negotiated solution to the current crisis in his country. Bozize made the commitment during a visit by AU Chairperson Thomas Yayi Boni on Sunday to Bangui, the capital of CAR. Zuma reiterated the unanimous demand by the international community for the CAR armed groups to put an immediate end to their military offensive and to commit themselves, in good faith, to a dialogue that would include all political stakeholders in the country, with the view to finding a lasting solution to the recurring instability experienced by the CAR. She warned the CAR armed groups against any seizure of power trough illegal means, which, if it were to occur, would lead to the automatic suspension of the participation of CAR in AU activities. It would also lead to sanctions and other measures against the perpetrators of such an unconstitutional change of government and their total isolation, Zuma warned.
