A new day dawns over Bangui…and a new year too. Freddy Ndo reckons he is lucky to be here to see it.
‘Thanks to God we have seen this new year. And we are alive today because many people have lost their lives during the last conflict’ Freddy Ndo, fisherman
There was little partying in this city on New Year’s Eve. It’s a dangerous place after dark – a direct result of almost three years of chaos triggered by a coup. But this week Freddy Ndo and thousands of others took a key step to revive their country. They defied security worries, to vote for a new president and a new Parliament.
As of early New Year’s Day, voters were still awaiting the result. But they’re hoping 2016 does indeed mean a new era – a turning point for the CAR.
“I want the new president to bring all the people together. And we that the various peacekeeping troops for doing their best to bring stability and peace in our country,” Freddy Ndo
“We have faced many problems in the past three years in this country. And we want the new elected president to do his best so that the country will not get these kinds of problems again.” Gabriel Karembi, fisherman
Electoral officials are calling for calm.
‘We have noticed that some of the media and candidates have began to speculate about the results of the vote thorough the internet and social media. But the electoral commission is the only institution that will announce and make public the official results. This kind of practice is a violation of the electoral code of conduct.’ Julius Rufin Ngouade-Baba, General Secretary, Electoral Commission
So far, there’s been little of the troubles many feared would disrupt the vote. And only minor problems reported on the day itself. The biggest test though may come with the result, whether it’s accepted by the losers.
