Central African Republic: CAR Government Names Prime Minister

25 January 2014
Voice of America (Washington, DC)

The government in the Central African Republic has named a new prime minister as tensions remain high in the capital, Bangui.

Interim President Catherine Samba-Panza's office announced the selection of Andre Nzapayeke, a regional banking official.

The French News Agency says Samba-Panza had to step away from her Saturday talks on forming a new Cabinet to deal with security issues, a day after deadly violence erupted in the capital.

Witnesses say a former Muslim Cabinet member was among those killed in Friday's unrest.

Samba-Panza had appealed for calm ahead of her inauguration on Thursday. The transitional government chose her as interim president after Michel Djotodia resigned under pressure due to his failure to stabilize the country.

She is expected to stay in office until national elections can be organized next year.

The CAR descended into chaos last March after mostly Muslim Seleka rebels toppled President Francois Bozize. Much of the fighting since then has been between Muslim ex-Seleka forces and mostly Christian "anti-Balaka" militia groups.

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