Rebel chief is new CAR President

Michel Djotodia

The rebel leader whose fighters toppled the government of Central African Republic earlier this year has been officially sworn in President.

Michel Djotodia, head of the Seleka rebel coalition, now has 18 months to organise elections in the landlocked country. In remarks during Sunday’s swearing-in ceremony in Bangui, he called on the political class to observe a truce to allow a leader “with unchallenged legitimacy” to be voted into office. He declared himself President after the ouster in March of long-time ruler Francois Bozize.