CAR politicians' security fears

CAR official signs safety guarantee watched by UN and US envoys

By Lucy Jones in Bangui

In the Central African Republic some of those who sought refuge in foreign embassies at the height of the failed coup attempt in May have begun returning home.

They left following the government's assurances of their safety.

Gamba's safety concerns

Prominent among the 30 people was Louis Gamba a 69 year old opposition politician. He said:"Listening to the radio on the porch of his villa, enjoying the attention of his grand daughter beats camping out in the library of the US embassy.

Mr Gamba belongs to the Central African Democratic Rally (RDC), the party of Andre Kolingba, the former military ruler who led the botched attempt to overthrow the government of President Ange-Felix Patasse.

Dictator Bokassa

A day after retuning home on August 6 Mr Gamba said: "I don't feel entirely protected, as political people can change their minds. But I've been told by the special envoy of the secretary general of the UN that I'm going to be safe."

He was among the estimated 100 Central Africans who sought refuge at foreign embassies in Bangui for fear of retribution during the mutiny, in which local officials say 59 people lost their lives.

In the day time I feel safe but at night it is a different matter

Refugee from US Embassy

Mr Gamba, a former minister under the late dictator Jean-Bedel Bokassa said: "When I heard that a member of parliament from the same political party as me had been killed I was scared. My family encouraged me to leave our home."

"I left with my daughters on foot. No cars were on the roads. If we had met a member of the presidential guard I would have been dead," he added.

Obangui River

There are still 33 Central Africans staying at the French ambassador's residence, including another leading parliamentarian.

The UN is trying to find a solution which will enable them to leave the compound of their former colonial masters.

President Patasse saw off failed coup

The head of the UN human rights agency, Mamadi Diakite said there is concern over the human rights situation.

He added: "We are trying to make sure that at least those who have sought refuge in embassies here have nothing to fear by returning home."

Of the tens of thousands of people who fled the city during the fighting, many have yet to return.

Still scared

More than 25,000 Central Africans are said to be now residing in Zongo, located across the Obangui river from Bangui, in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Neighbourhood chiefs in Bangui say residents are still scared and can hear shooting most nights.

"This week, bandits came with guns and attacked six or seven houses. People go to bed at 7.30 pm because of the lack of security" said Joseph Lougou, chief of the Petevo district, which saw heavy fighting.

The government guarantees the safety and liberty of refugees returning home

CAR Justice Minister Marcel Matefara

Members of the Yakoma tribe, the same ethnic group as most of the pustchists, are staying away from their offices for fear of reprisal.

Different house

But Justice Minister Marcel Matefara has publicly said: "The government guarantees the liberty and security of refugees returning home."

But away from the safety of the US embassy compound, former refuge seeker Assangou prefers to sleep in a different house every night.

"In the day time I feel safe. But at night it is a different matter. Anything can happen," he said.