Central African Republic President Francois Bozize on Monday reappointed Faustin-Archange Touadera as prime minister of the country, just a day after dissolving the government, national radio announced.
Touadera (51) ”is named prime minister, head of the government”, said a decree read out on the radio. Under the Constitution, he has eight days to form his government.
Bozize dissolved the government on Sunday. While no explanation was given for the move, he had promised a unity government after peace talks aimed at halting a near civil war ended in December. The government, led by Touadera, was formed in January 2008.
During a visit to Libreville last week, Bozize had said a government would be formed ”very soon”, without providing further details.
Rebel groups, political opponents and officials of Touadera’s government had expressed hope that the 12-day peace talks last month could pave the way to ending unrest.
A new ”consensus” government should be tasked with ”restoring peace and security throughout the country” and ”work for genuine and lasting reconciliation among its citizens”, the final report from the talks said.
One of the world’s poorest countries, the Central African Republic has been racked for years by insecurity with rebel groups, bandits and government troops blamed for widespread criminal activity.
Following mediation efforts by Gabon, the government signed four peace accords with rebel groups between February 2007 and June 2008.
After leading the 2003 coup, Bozize was elected in 2005.
Former leader Ange-Felix Patasse returned home after five years in exile in Togo to attend the peace talks and made a striking vow to recognise Bozize, who ousted him in 2003, rather than call for his removal as some of his opponents had insisted. – Sapa-AFP