7 women, 3 ex-Seleka officials named in Central African Republic government

Central African Republic's 20- member cabinet formed on Monday by Prime Minister Andre Nzapayeke comprises seven women and three representatives of ex-Seleka rebels. Nzapayeke's cabinet was formed after an initial decision by the transition president to appoint a team of 18 technocrats to help end security and humanitarian crisis and revive economic activities in Central African Republic. The seven women who were appointed include Marie Noelle Koyara as the agriculture minister, Isabelle Gaudeuille as the justice minister and Florence Limbio as the economy and planing minister. At the same time, Margueritte Samba will take over as the health minister, Gisele Bedan will head the national education ministry, Antoinette Moussa will be the minister for communication and national reconciliation and Gertrude Zouta will head the commerce ministry. Six ex-ministers in the transition government of Nicolas Tiangaye retained their posts including three representatives of ex-Seleka rebels. The nephew to ex-transition president Michel Djotodia, a former mines and petroleum minister, Herber Gontran Djono Ahaba, will now become the public works minister. Arnaud Djoubaye Abasene, Djotodia's cousin, will remain as the transport minister. Abdallah Kadre will head the posts and telecommunication ministry. In the new team, Aristide Sokambi will remain as the territorial administration minister, while Eloi Anguimate will serve as the government secretary general. The Defense Ministry will be held by Thomas Theophile Timangoa and the portfolio of public security will be under Denis Wangao Kizimale. The Foreign Ministry will be under Toussaint Kongo Doudou. Remy Wakoro will be in charge of the Finance Ministry. The Mines Ministry will be led by Olivier Malibanga and the Forestry Ministry by Hyacinthe Toukouye. Leopold Narcisse Barra will be in charge of the Youth and Sports Ministry. The formation of the cabinet, whose members were reduced from 32 to 20, was hailed by the local people. Several ministerial departments were merged.