With our correspondent in Bangui, Carol Valade

It is without the opposition heavyweights that the dialogue began on Monday morning in the hemicycle of the National Assembly. Several hundred people were present: government members, deputies, diplomats... There were also former presidents Michel Djotodia and Catherine Samba-Panza, former warlord Abdoulaye Hissène.

The president of the preparatory committee, State Minister Obed Namsio, said he regretted the absence of the opposition. Apart from two representatives in the presidium and despite the "open hand from the head of state." "The door is always open" he said.

"This is not a dialogue too many, but another chance for peace," declared President Touadéra. Before giving, with a ring of his bell, the starting signal for three days of work in commissions followed by three days of debates.

The topics to be addressed will be very broad. The organizers' objective is to end the crisis and bring peace, without however specifying what concrete measures will be taken, hoping that a solution will emerge from the discussions.