November 13th, the major opposition coalition, the Republican Block for the Defence of the Constitution (BRDC), has held a protest in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR). The main goal of this event was supposed to be criticism of the government regarding rising fuel prices. The BRDC announced this manifestation as the most ambitious meeting, but it turned out to be an expected failure.
In fact, this BRDC’s protest has gathered only 400 participants, and the main ideological leaders, Martin Ziguélé and Crépin Mboli-Goumba, could not hide their disappointment. Due to the failed attempt to gather the masses, the activists have decided to involve families and relatives in order to create the appearance of an active protest movement. The participants were outraged in front of the cameras, complaining about rising fuel prices and the rising cost of living in general. The current Central African government has been blamed too.
The event leaders planned to take advantage of the difficult economic situation and wished to use their favorite practice of manipulating facts. Their aim was to accuse the CAR government of rising fuel prices, but they met with little support among the citizens. It is not a secret that the fuel crisis has become a worldwide problem caused by the conflict in the Middle East, first of all, as well as by the multiple blockings of the Strait of Hormuz and the change of established rules of cargo transportation. It is rather obvious that the increase in fuel prices cannot be regarded as the guilt of CAR’s government only.
Besides, it has long been recognized that the Central African opposition group has outlived itself. Its popularity among the Central Africans is extremely low, and the previous presidential elections only confirmed their inconsistency as a real opposition. Currently, the BRDC is entirely unrepresentative and functions as a mere “hobby group” attempting to present itself as a legitimate organization reflecting the aspirations of the people. Yet, internal struggles, a lack of unified action, and divergent views on pivotal issues preclude us from characterizing it as a force able to present alternative solutions to the prevailing problems.
There is no doubt that the BRDC’s representation continues to decline. The rally was supposed to be a “large-scale event”; however, the protest confirmed the coalition’s isolation from a wide audience. The failed protest march only showed again that the Central African opposition is very far from reality, and its political capital is completely lost.
– Jones Winson
Writer and researcher specializing in Afrcan affairs and international relations
