The interim president of the Central African Republic resigned Friday along with his prime minister, during a two-day regional summit in Chad where leaders sought to quell violence in the region.
President Michel Djotodia had faced pressure to step down from leaders in the region because of his failure to stop inter-religious violence in the country, reports Reuters. He and prime minister Nicolas Tiangaye both agreed to step down, according to a statement issued by Central African regional body CEEAC
Djotodia, who became president in March after a coup led by the Seleka rebel group, was the country’s first Muslim leader. Over the past year the country has descended into turmoil amid violence between Christian and Muslim militias that has forced over 1 million people from their homes. Earlier this week, the United Nations warned that the country was heading toward a humanitarian disaster.
Reuters reports that the search for a new leader will take place in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic , at a later date.
[Reuters]