 This resulted in army mutinies in 1996–1997, where fractions of the military clashed with the presidential guard, the "Unité de sécurité présidentielle (USP)" and militias loyal to Patassé.On 6 December, a negotiation process started, facilitated by Gabon, Burkina-Faso, Chad and Mali.The military — supported by the opposition parties — insisted that Patassé had to resign.