republic russia france and rwanda are deploying military forces in support of the government catherine sawyer reports from the capital bangui. was president for stina dara arrives for his final election rally in bongi in full force has been telling people to come out and forth on sunday without fear i recently formed a group called the patriot put change all c.p.c. has threatened to march to the city and launched attacks against government troops backed by un peacekeepers in some rural areas the c.p.c. which is a coalition of several armed groups has called off a ceasefire it had declared them wednesday. they are trying to come to bangui usent are africans must open your eyes help our armed forces un peacekeepers mean those from rwanda and russia giving us a hand to unload those and the fighters come into the city. 16 presidential candidates have been cleared to run in the polls but johnson. son of the country's only south declared emperor has withdrawn citing security concerns former president francois was disqualified by the constitutional court state officials and the u.n. accuse him of be

catherine sawyer is in the capital and has more.eporter: we've been speaking to officials from the u.n. peacekeeping mission in central african republic and they are telling us they have been able to push back this rebel movement. this is a group that was formed over the weekend. they are calling themselves patriots for change. they startedng advancing onto te capital, calling for a transitional government without the president. officials of the u.n. say that in the west, where this rebellion has started, they've been able to contain j in some towns and villages, but in other areas it remains very fluid. we have other armed groups outside of this main coalition that are causing trouble. we also have other troops. we have russian armed personnel as well carrying out operations against this group. there's russians. they are able to use more force. the countries have signed a bilateral agreement, allowing them to use force and to contain the situation to make sure this election is not disrupted. anchor: police in uganda have arrested a

russia france and rwanda deploying military forces in support of the government catherine sawyer from the capital bangui. was president for stina shines twice darragh arrives for his final election rally in bongi in 4 force has been telling people to come out and forth on sunday without fear i recently formed a group called the patriot lucian put change all c.p.c. has threatened to march to the city and launched attacks against government troops backed by un peacekeepers in some rural areas the c.p.c. which is a coalition of several armed groups has called off a ceasefire it had declared them wednesday. morning there they are trying to come to bangui usent are africans must open your eyes help our armed forces un peacekeepers mean those from rwanda in russia the i given us a hand don't lead those i'm to fight has come into the city. 16 presidential candidates have been cleared to run in the polls but join side sound of the country's only celtic led emperor has withdrawn citing security concerns former president francois was easing was disqualified by the constitutional court state off

interesting to see how this day plays out and more importantly how the watertown out is going to be ok catherine sawyer bring us the very latest from catherine thank you. well voting is also starting in the share a nation looking to deliver its 1st peaceful handover of power president to mohamad who is so full of came to power in a coup before being elected and 2011 is stepping down after 2 terms as preferred successor mohamed basil its authority a strong field of candidates we share is struggling with arms movements and widespread poverty. was the us it's a big job because there are 2 elections at the same time there are the presidential elections and the legislative elections who stakes are high we have to make sure that the ballots that have to go to the ballot box for the presidential election go there and those for the legislative elections go to the ballot box for the legislative elections so we try to organize ourselves as well as possible. this is life or as in the capital in the army has made this election day in these air and things progress in the. well basically elections of voting started

the country there are talks of a possible cease fire with the election day set for next sunday catherine sawyer joins us live now from that's the capital of central african republic catherine welcome back to the how would you describe the feeling on the streets there what's the atmosphere like. while it's very. just 2 days ago we were on the street and what came out that. there was rubble that was coming in this goes a lot of panic in and out it was just a small incident that involved shooting by national and me in the air to contain the crowd but then it caused so much heinecke in the city almost the stud down so you can imagine the house and. being pulled well. in the country side where especially in the west where this new. was formed from now. how are you talking about the postponement of the election that had the don't talk and it helped move the money they filed a petition asking for postponement because of this that you did you waste and we expect the huling tomorrow back and they say that it is true and they people will not be able to come out to go one of those presidential candidates.

president 4 star sean steward there are of rigging the votes fighters have attacked several times catherine sawyer has more from. and there are areas in this city that where people support this rebellion by the age of change where people support once what will be their what if they have to be the man behind the rebellion and we do not expect much of voting in this area so it's going to be interesting going forward to see how this situation plays out and even more importantly to see how people come out towards not just across the country. voting is also starting in the share a nation looking to deliver its 1st peaceful handover of power presidents mamadou a source who came to power in a coup before being elected in 2011 he's stepping down after 2 terms as preferred successor mohamed it's a 30 strong field of candidates. the u. has begun one of the world's largest coronavirus vaccination campaigns the aim is to protect 450000000 people across 27 states nurses and it's a they were among the 1st people to receive the pfizer buy on tech job here's president or trump has refused to sign a $900000000000.

lines of rebel groups accuses president forced darragh of planning to rig the vote as there was catherine sawyer reports now from the capital bangui. laurel is a driver and shows us pictures from my recent walk trip to a town 300 kilometers north of the capital bangui shortly after he took this fossils he says on demand attacks and he had to flee he's worried about relatives who live in the town he blames rebel groups calling themselves the patriots politian for change or c.p.c. for the latest security crisis in the central african republic he told the town is almost empty some of the men are asking civilian to give up their electoral college others are in the charge as far as they know there cannot be a proper election in bossangoa. president forced to our deborah has asked people to come out and vote those in to be vigilant with concerns the violence may intimidate who says and undermine the point the government is looking to provide reassurance you have countries throughout the world. there is no. one let's see if and when. people decide not to vote and you have a level of 0 for what it is bu

constitutional court ruled unanimously after a request by opposition candidates to postpone the vote catherine sawyer has more from. the constitutional judges made this. behind me and they say that the petition did not have strong enough grounds to have the election. so what this means is that as you mentioned the election is going to go on tomorrow wherever it can we have spoken to u.n. officials say 70 percent of the country think enough people to come out vote ethiopia's human rights commission says a total of $207.00 people were killed on wednesday double the initial figure what was described as a law enforcement operation by the prime minister is turning into a conflict possibly killing thousands turkey's defense minister has arrived in libya despite threats by eastern warlords after a car from is to increase cooperation with the internationally recognized government in tripoli on friday ankara voted to extend the deployment of troops or for another 18 months or will be for half the banks arrival eastern government responded with a threat to target local turkish rather forces. countries across e

sunday's election the constitutional court is set to decide on whether to 1st phone the vote catherine sawyer has more from bungie. was. already here in the white. more areas of the u.k. are entering the highest level of crown of virus restrictions shutting non-essential business isn't forcing people to stay at home northern ireland scotland and large areas of england joining the regions already under the tear for rules they've been reintroduced to combat an alarming rise in fractions blamed on the spread of a new more virulent strain of the virus. and in france of confirmed their 1st cases of all contagious coronavirus mutation more than 50 countries maintaining travel bans for the u.k. the u.s. city of nashville is under a curfew after a motor home exploded injuring 3 people were recorded bomb warning was played beforehand it's not yet known who was responsible to palestinians including a 6 year old child have been injured after israel launched air strikes on the gaza strip some empty sites belonging to hamas and islamic jihad were targeted at the hospital damaged earlier these daily army a

security concerns they want the polls postponed but the government says that's not an option catherine sawyer reports in the capital. the mood in this market in benghazi is just right for christmas kristi's central african stake their celebrations seriously and traders are making a killing it's also an election season they go to the polls on sunday and their main mori is security on sunday vote on a safety of course but it's christmas and who doesn't want a good cheer. but everyone is in a festive mood though many residents want to get their voices hard some through religious procession is praying for peace. others like this women condemn the newly formed peaches for change a coalition of several armed groups that has threatened to march to the city and is already causing havoc in the countryside and militants on 1006 to 6 our country has gone through coups rebellions mutineers and each time it sets us back the 2013 times a lot of sorrow women have been raped many people have died and others displaced. down hoping that the 12000 un peacekeepers in the country alongside government troops and o

russia has also voiced concerns about the unfolding political unrest catherine sawyer is in the capsule bungie with more on the security situation. if this stays to the general election here in the central african republic and we're seeing some pay that sees a page politicians trying to sell that agenda ahead of that election about what people out there who are it about here the topic was the security situation outside . people particularly wanting to find the place in the west where we armed groups house. coalition calling themselves a feature change and say threatening to march to belong you saying that they do they want a sensational government without president. who would dare out that both that both groups have been met with force by the central central african agni also hard from the russian government that has stated has deployed more troops to try and quell that situation in the west russia's influence is particularly growing with the country stayed to be parole president was there a was also said to be leaning more towards russia then we have the french who have also had a stro

catherine sawyer reports. people in benghazi have been on edge for days now that's after the armed movement calling itself patriots politian for change threatened to march to the city and destruct the vote the group's leaders didn't want an election but a transitional government and the full implementation of a peace deal signed between 14 armed groups and the government into 1000 despite the. palling stations opened on time and voting in the capital was fairly smooth. i am here to vote for peace i have had about problems in the battle of the country but i had to do my beat president. bush where there has been arching people to help security forces stop the rebels the national army backed by un peacekeepers randon forces russian military instructors and private security contractors are all on the ground france also has a military presence in the central african republic. every 5 years central african 3 to choose their leader responsible for this mission are there a in each and the constitutional court and the

request to cues rebels backed by the former president francois posies a of attempting a coup catherine sawyer in the. with more. we've been speaking to officials from the un peacekeeping mission here in central african republic and that telling us that they have been able to push back this rebel movement remember this is a group that was formed over the weekend they're calling themselves the patriots for change it's a group of kids we are the country's main groups and they started advancing on to the copy told calling for among other things government without president. so it's official that the u.n. says that in the west where this a rebellion has started they've been able to contain the situation in some towns and villages but in many other areas it remains very fluid indeed because we also have groups outside of this main. that are causing trouble so in the same area we also have other. troops we have a russian. also carrying out operations against this grouping they are the russians and the london are not under the un mandate that means that they are able to use more. signed the country.

political and security situation catherine sawyer reports now from bungie. this is president. at a reasoned political rally. his armed guards are russia randa central african and also members of a un peacekeeping force randa recently sent troops and russia says it has deployed hundreds of military structures to help fight for control of the country is also a big presence of private security contractors from the russian. supplier. this makes begins to explain the country's complex geopolitics central african republic is afraid dr grant. did have never been alone to. exploit. the resources. that we have. and that. you know for a drive. in the situation where we need to have partners some central africans are worried about the motive behind the increasing power between russia and. france on one hand and round against other regional countries like chad on the other. russia is reconquering areas we lost at the end of the cold war rhonda is a small country but deploying troops not only as part of un but also in the context of bilateral agreements gives it diplomatic weight france ha

afraid because o'leary's the busies a neighborhood there's the problem too many threats there is catherine sawyer has been following developments from the capital bangui and she tells us more about the feedback from international observers on the poll. there was a press conference today by the un the interior minister defense minister the electoral commission and they all said that voting was by and less successful they say that in the country the process went on smoothly but they did up knowledge problems in some towns and villages in the provinces in some areas for example polls could not open at all because of the security situation in other people polls open but people could not come out to vote because they were hiding out in other areas. groups came in and around polling stations. causing massive panic and in other places voting materials were delayed paul's delayed to open because of the security situation when it came to counting in some polling stations when counting was going on people would come in and take boxes and ballot papers and bar them by the u.n. says that they send reinforcem

opponents of president today have asked the constitutional court to delay sunday's poll alger's catherine sawyer was at the president's final campaign rally in bungie. the lot of. people aboard who are in that are ready to go and vote a lot of them in their lives that they can not change rubble or that the economy was. not that he'd buy it because the president and the prime minister has not lived in the other thing that governments have been at mocking the people he put this on and already here in the white being in a town about 500 kilometer. area where the fighting is going on there called one of the largest coal mining areas in the. very. many parts of the country. here in borneo one of the weird without action on monday . now japan's former prime minister shinzo are they as apologize for possible illegal expenses linked to dinner parties hosted by his office when he was leader scandals around several annual events for supporters during tokyo's famous cherry blossom season the dinners at an upscale turco hotel was subsidized by as the let's go party but not properly courted japan has strict

peacekeepers catherine sawyer has more now from the capital. the constitutional judges made this unanimous division in the courtroom behind me and they fade that the petition did not have strong enough grounds to have the election postponed now we've so what this means is that as you mentioned the election is going to go on tomorrow wherever it can we have spoken to u.n. officials who say 70 percent of the country think enough of people to come out to vote if european human rights commission says a total of $207.00 people were killed on weapons state double the initial figure what was described as a law enforcement operation by the prime minister is turning into an if into ethnic conflict possibly killing thousands turkey's defense minister has arrived in libya despite threats by the eastern warlord holly for half to lucy aca promised to increase cooperation with the internationally recognized government in tripoli on friday ankara voted to extend the deployment of turkish troops to libya for another 18 months warlord hafter who backs a rival e

that they will not go to the polling stations until that lewdly sure that they will be safe ok catherine sawyer live for us in benghazi thanks so much for that. despite the uncertainty that catherine mentioned on the grounds the u.n. is insisting the conditions are stable enough to ensure a free and fair election the deputy special representative of the secretary general spoke to a short while ago she told my colleagues i was on dumb people are determined to exercise their right to. distribution of the voter cards is ongoing and people left through this country were registered to vote are coming in large numbers to collect their cards the population is determined in this country to vote tomorrow and we are determined at the united nations with the sport and international community to ensure that the boat goes ahead i've just finished a meeting with all the regional representatives and the country and 80 percent of the country the situation is progressing there are preparations are on there and. so in most parts of the country people will be able to vote tomorrow in security yet in some parts th

says it's gravely concerned and has approved the deployment of more peacekeepers catherine sawyer joins us now live from bungay the capital of the central african republic so how is the president reacting to these escalations then catherine. well be the president is the benefit here just a little while but the having might not i'm afraid but i have to shout that a lot of. people. are saying that they are ready to go and don't. want any reaction from me. or change. its mind. in the pot treaty by. accusing for my friend. that behind every bet you wrote that. back when the president come yet you're going to talk about even if you waste money that the opposition. the we got why. it fired because the president and the prime minister is not listening. that government have been not knocking the people but this son had already gearing up quite. a. lot in that. area where the fighting is going on with one of the. mining areas in the. very 10 indeed many parts of the country. here in bolivia while. now with 48 hours to go before that poll this it looks like the vote will actually happen given eve

operate after being damaged by grapples they say some voters were attacked and stretched and catherine sawyer has more from the capital. it was a joint statement by the african union the economic community of central african states and the community. and states and observers here but it's important to note that they could only deploy to the copy told. not too far away from here and they say that in all the polling stations they visited the process went on smoothly there were some delays in the delivery of the material in some polling stations some other polling stations opened late but then people were due to go and vote but they did also note that particularly in the provinces many presidential and many candidates in the lead up to the election were able to come pain because of. the security situation because of intimidation. and this is what we've been hearing as well on voting day in some towns and villages there was a lot of intimidation of voters by armed groups but then you when and government officials we've talked to say that the security challenge in much of the country people were a

a 2nd term he accused the president from of plotting with rebels to overthrow the government catherine sawyer is in the central african republic capital of bungie and she explains what the next steps all in the electoral process. there was a press conference today by the un the interior minister defense minister the electoral commission and they all say that voting was by and less successful they say that in the country the process went smoothly but they did problems in some towns and villages in the provinces in some areas for example polls could not open at all because of the security situation in the people polls open but people could not come out to vote because they were hiding out in other areas. groups came in and around polling stations. causing massive panic and in other places voting materials were delayed polls. open because of the security situation when it came to counting and polling stations when counting was going on people would come in and take those books is a barn them by the u.n. says that they send reinforcements to try and secure some of the so they say overall voting w

opposition parties wanted the election postponed and the queues the president of vote rigging catherine sawyer reports from the capital bangui. laurel is a driver and shows us pictures from i resent walk trip to a town 300 kilometers north of the capital. shortly after you took this photo he says on demand attacks and he had to flee he's worried about relatives who live in the town he blames rebel groups calling themselves the patriots coalition for change or c.p.c. for the latest security crisis in the central african republic she told the town is almost empty some elements are asking civilian to give up their electoral card others are hiding in the charge as far as they know that cannot be a proper election in but. president. has asked people to come out and vote those in to be vigilant with concerns the violence may intimidate those has and undermined the point that government is looking to provide reassurance of countries throughout the world. there is no. let's say. and where. people decide not to vote and you have a level of 0 for what it is but a submission which is no it doesn't mean t

catherine sawyer joins us live now from the capital of central african republic catherine if they managed to have it delayed oprah spode and how would that go down on the streets. well a lot of people we're talking to here are saying that they do not have an appetite for any kind of conflict they think that they want to. vote for the student particularly here in boise where i am my mark because i've been talking to saying that they want to vote they want to exercise their rights to choose a leader of their choice but when you go outside to the countryside people are quite afraid to get out of their homes we're hearing the fighting in various places people are being displaced with folks who are not they so either you when you say that about $50000.00 people in in one of the areas are hiding because of fighting that was going on there we're also being told there's an area called. about 500 kilometers it's in that if by thing they've been told is going on there i'm with the fire i was broke and was hauled off this morning by the patriots for change they say that the president and the prime m

peacekeepers and national security forces catherine sawyer has been with the demonstrators in bunky. where this demonstrates i say that they are marching for peace they say that they want a peaceful election they blame their rebellion they blame the rebels who have formed this poor list and are threatening to advance 2 words long already this a rebel movement called paycheck of change help for the model of a problem in the countryside with the last where they are fighting with other international while the u.n. and government forces of the women are marching to the u.n. headquarters they say that they want to be able to exercise their right to vote and what's very interesting is the flags that they've been carrying many of them occur in you know flags from regional countries but most interesting there's a lot of people carrying russian flags this just goes to show from ball out for this country we have a lot of countries foreign countries the russians have been deploying a military. very advisers have been. giving aid to military aides to this country with the president's advice an o

catherine sawyer spoke to us earlier from president to address final campaign rally in the capital bangui. we. were. told that the result was. fired because the president in a minute is not listening to that government. and the people. already hearing the fighting in a town. where the. area. many parts of the country. meanwhile the people of central african republic 0 crossing their fingers a piece al-jazeera met one man who says his country is set up with instability and deserves a comma christmas. well my name is my nickname is all my previous. song i am a trader and every year we sell christmas decorations don't move long we've almost had to do well here we want a peaceful christmas among other things. going to today's in 2013 the situation here was really bad and i was a victim had to run to congo as a refugee when twitter i was elected and there was peace then i came back home. and i didn't want to do we'll be we don't want conflict to happen again because we've lost everything and we don't want to risk any more again we want a lasting peace in central african republic. in the beginn

between foreign countries for the threat and see as fragile political and security situation catherine sawyerreports now from bungie. this is president for steen also has to add data at the reason political rally in bondi he's armed guards are russia run down central african and also members of a un peacekeeping force randa recently sent troops and russia says it has deployed hundreds of military instructors to help fight armed groups that control much of the country is also a big presence of private security contractors from the russian base while been up in a supply out of mass in the east. this makes begins to explain the country's complex geopolitics central african republic is afraid to drive a country. it has never been a no to. exploit. all those resources. that we have. and that made us in the front tire. was out also. put us in the situation where we need to have partners some central africans are worried about the motive behind the increasing power play between russia and. france on one hand and round against other regional countries like china on the other. russia is reconquering a

let's go straight to the katherine sawyer who's in the capital by catherine so i believe the polls have closed when do we expect results. well yes polls have closed and counting has just started this polling station i expect counting has started in other polling stations here in borghi we've seen a lot of observers from the african union and other missions other missions as well so what's going to happen next is that once the votes are counted in the polling stations they're going to be taken to divisional headquarters and provisional headquarters they will be collated and then sent to the main tallying center here in borghi for the final results we're told the votes. are there provinces' most a lot of the votes in other provinces are going to be airlifted here because of the security situation in some of those areas but also because of the road network which is very bad and transport by road you're told is not a good idea so they're going to be airlifted here we expect results we're told in the next 4 to 5 days maybe alia but the big question going forward really is the voter turnout h