CENTRAL AFRICA REPUBLIC APPOINTS MUSLIM AS NEW PRIME MINISTER

President Central African Republic Catherine Samba-Panza (Image: Mod.gov.rw) — **President Central African Republic Catherine Samba-Panza** (Photo: Mod.gov.rw)

Bangui, 15 Shawwal 1435/11 August 2014 (MINA) – The president of the Central African Republic has named a Muslim as the country’s new prime minister, an official said Sunday, as part of an effort to create a more inclusive government after more than a year of sectarian violence.

Mahamat Kamoun, previously a special advisor to President Catherine Samba-Panza, a Christian, will lead a transitional government after being nominated by presidential decree, Modern Ghana quoted by Mi’raj islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

The appointment was announced on state-owned radio by a spokesman for the presidency.

Previous, thousands of people braved the rain in Bangui to take part in a peace march.

Addressing the crowd, transitional President Catherine Samba-Panza said a new government would be formed “in the coming days”.

“Even if some people want to persist with atrocities, God will confound them,” she said.

Representatives of the Seleka rebel coalition and anti-balaka forces signed a tentative ceasefire in July aimed at ending violence in the country.

As part of that agreement, Samba-Panza’s government resigned on Tuesday in order to make way for one that is more inclusive.

Despite the peace accord, tensions remain high in the country, where several Seleka militiamen were killed on Tuesday in a clash with French peacekeepers in the north. (T/P09/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)