US urges transparent process to select new leader of CAR

The United States called for a "transparent and inclusive" process to pick a new transitional president in Central African Republic (CAR), the State Department said on Friday. Spokeswoman Jen Psaki made the remarks following the resignations of interim President Michel Djotodia and Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye on Friday in the chaotic African country. Under its charter, CAR's National Council of Transition has 15 days to choose another interim president to replace Djotodia. The council should ensure that the new leadership is committed to restoring stability for the people of the country, Psaki told reporters at a regular press briefing. "At this point, what our focus is on is moving forward," Psaki said, adding that a new election should be held no later than February 2015. The resignations of the leaders came after a meeting held in Chad where regional leaders urged the transition authorities to put in more efforts toward achieving peace. The United States welcomed the active leadership of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) in convening the meeting to discuss political transition in CAR, Psaki said. Djotodia came to power in March 2013 after toppling former President Francois Bozize, who went in exile abroad. Although the ECCAS accepted an 18-month transition under Djotodia, the new government has been grappling with clashes between members of Muslim-dominated Seleka and pro-Bozize Christians. More than 3,000 people have been killed in the crisis and 1.6 million others displaced. In early December, the UN Security Council authorized the deployment of French and African troops to restore order in Bangui, where more than 1,000 people were killed in December, sparking fears of another genocide in Africa after the 1994 Rwanda massacre.