Catherine Samba-Panza – The mayor of Bangui, was elected interim president of the Central African Republic on Monday, making her the first woman to hold the post.
A businesswoman with a reputation as a fighter who became mayor of the capital in 2011, Catherine Samba-Panza was elected after beating her rival Desire Kolingba in a second-round vote by the transitional parliament.
Cheers broke out in the assembly as the result was announced, with lawmakers singing the national anthem in celebration.
In her victory speech, Samba-Panza — who won 75 votes against 53 for Desire Kolingba, the son of a former president — urged Christian and Muslim militias to lay down their arms to put an end to months of sectarian bloodshed.
“Show your support for my nomination by giving the strong signal of laying down your weapons,” Samba-Panza — who is Christian but did not campaign on a religious platform — told the Christian self-defence militia known as “anti-balaka” (anti-machete).
She issued a similar appeal to the members of mostly Muslim rebel group Seleka, telling them: “Stop the suffering of the people.”
“Starting today, I am the president of all Central Africans, without exclusion,” said Samba-Panza, 59.
“The top priority is to stop people’s suffering, to restore security and the authority of the state across the country.”
Meanwhile, European Union agreed to send hundreds of troops to help restore peace to the country torn by sectarian bloodshed.
The mission, which will deploy in and around the capital and last up to six months, is expected to involve the rapid deployment of a force numbering anywhere between 400 and 1,000.
Congratulations to Samba-Panza. Wish her the best of luck in her quest to turn around the situation in CAR.
Source: InfoNubia