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Catherine Samba-Panza sworn in as Interim President of the Central African Republic
Interim President of the Central African Republic Catherine Samba-Panza takes the oath of office., January 23, 2014. PHOTO/Jerome Delay/AP
Catherine Samba-Panza was sworn in as the new president of the Central African Republic on Thursday. A former mayor of Bangui, Samba-Panza was chosen to lead the country by a national transitional council on Monday.
Her ascent to power has raised hopes that weeks of conflict between rival Muslim and Christian militias in the country may soon be brought to an end.
The country descended into chaos after Islamist Seleka rebels led by Michel Djotodia seized power in a coup in March of last year. Djotodia officially disbanded the rebel group after he seized power, but some of its former members launched a campaign of killing, raping and looting, prompting some Christian communities to form vigilante groups.
Djotodia resigned on January 10 after coming under intense international and regional pressure for failing to halt the violence.
President Samba-Panza, 59, faces huge challenges as she seeks to re-establish stability in the country, including disarming the militias, establishing a new national army and ending outbreaks of sectarian violence. The recent unrest has also brought the country’s food production to a halt.
The new president has said her priorities are restoring security and “putting people to work” as quickly as possible.
“I have measured the expectations the people have of me,” she told members of the press on Tuesday. “I tell myself that I can absolutely not disappoint these expectations.”
