Central African Republic transitional period extended
Anti-Muslim violence escalated after the country's president, Michel Djotodia, stepped down in January to be replaced by Samba-Panza.
BANGUI, Central African Republic
The presidency of the Central African Republic (CAR) on Tuesday announced the extension of the transitional period for another six months, citing political instability.
"CAR interim President Catherine Samba Panza, Prime Minister Mahamat Kamoun and National Transitional Council Chairman Alexandre Nguendet, each received a letter from the Congolese President Denis Sassou-Nguesso – in his capacity as a mediator of the Central African crisis – announcing a six-month extension of the transitional period," CAR presidency said in a Tuesday statement.
Scheduled for 18 months, CAR's transitional period was due to expire in February 2015, in accordance with the country's transitional constitutional charter.
However, turbulences on both the political and security levels stood in the way of implementing the roadmap, which was signed on July 23, 2014 between CAR's two main rival militias – the Muslim seleka and Christian anti-balaka groups – in Congolese capital Brazzaville.
The roadmap stipulates laying down arms in a 45-day period, dismissal of all militants, return of foreign militias to their countries, and the cessation of violence against civilians.
Since March 2013, the troubled Central African Republic has been plagued by tit-for-tat sectarian violence between the Christian anti-balaka militia and Muslim seleka fighters.
Anti-Muslim violence escalated after the country's president, Michel Djotodia, stepped down in January to be replaced by Samba-Panza – a Christian who had formerly served as mayor of Bangui.
Christians, who account for the majority of the country's population, accuse Muslims of supporting former seleka rebels blamed for attacking Christian homes, looting property and carrying out summary executions.
