Woman takes charge of violence-torn republic
THE WOMAN mayor of the Central African Republic’s capital took over as president in the violence-torn country yesterday and called on the international community to save the former French colony from chaos.
Catherine Samba-Panza, the mayor of Bangui, was chosen as interim leader as EU ministers decided in Brussels to send up to 1000 troops to bolster 1600 French peacekeepers who were deployed a month ago.
Samba-Panza, 59, a former corporate lawyer and a Christian, must organise national elections before the end of the year and restore state administration after a year of vacuum under Michel Djotodia, a former rebel leader.
A member of the Muslim minority, Djotodia stepped aside 10 days ago under pressure from France and African neighbours after rampages by Christian gangs and the Seleka, his disbanded rebel force. The interim president urged refugees to return home, especially the 100,000 who have been camped at Bangui airport, which is also the site of the French garrison.
‘‘Starting today, I am the president of all Central Africans, without exclusion. The top priority is to stop people’s suffering, to restore security and the authority of the state across the country,’’ she said.
‘‘I am also calling on the international community to help us quickly restore order in our country which today is on the brink of chaos.’’
The United Nation’s Bangui office said that Samba-Panza’s election by the local Transitional Council ‘‘must mark a new beginning as the country moves towards the full restoration of democratic legitimacy’’.