The inclusive political dialogue of the Central African Republic (CAR) was launched on Monday afternoon in the capital Bangui, where politicians are trying to find a solution to years of instability, according to reports monitored here.
The dialogue was attended by representatives of the government, opposition parties, the civil society, rebel groups and the international community, the Africa No. 1 radio reported.
Former president Felix Patasse, who was ousted in a coup in 2003 by Francois Bozize, participated in the dialogue. He returned to the Central African Republic on Sunday after five years in exile.
Upon his arrival in Bangui, Patasse expressed hope that this dialogue would "find a ground for all nationals to reconcile themselves."
Eye-catching participants also include Jean Jacques Demafouth, leader of the Popular Army for the Restoration of Democracy, Abdoulaye Miskine, head of the Democratic Front for the Central African People, and the Union of Democratic Forces of Reassembly chief, Damane Zakaria.
The rebel groups are the major three movements still active in the north of the country.
Former military ruler Andre Kolingba, who is now in France, was absent for health reasons.
UN representative Francois Fall described the on-going dialogue as a new chance for the people of the country to get rid of the prejudices held by the leaders of the country in the past.
"They have decided to talk among themselves, notably for overcoming the differences," the UN official said, adding that politicians are trying to work together, create conditions for peace and put an end to the rebel movements.
He said the protracted violence in the Central African Republic has affected a quarter of its 4 million people with 200,000 people displaced and suffering in bushes.
The country, a landlocked one among the world's poorest, won its independence from France in 1960. The thinly-populated country has since witnessed coups and revolts. In 2002, Central African countries began to deploy a 500-strong peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic. The mission was renamed MICOPAX in July to include more countries in the region.
After signing the June 21 peace accord, the government and rebel groups attended an international peace conference held last month in Gabon, where they declared the Dec. 5-20 dialogue as a step to consolidate the peace process. Politicians later decided to postpone the opening of the dialogue for time to include more participants.