African Union sends special envoy to Bangui

The African Union (AU) has sent a special envoy to the Central African Republic (CAR) to review the situation "in light of the recent developments in the country", the AU said on Thursday. AU envoy Sadok Fayala left for the central Africa region on Monday. The AU said Fayala would hold talks with the leaders of CAR, Chad, Gabon and the Republic of Congo to review the situation in CAR. He will also explore the "modalities for ensuring a speedy return to constitutional legality". In the CAR capital, Bangui, Fayala will consult with the new authorities as well as with other social and economic stakeholders, the AU reported. He will also consult with the representative of the UN Secretary-General in Bangui, Lamine Cisse, who is also head of the UN Peace-building Office in the country. According to the AU, "This mission demonstrates the willingness of the African Union to support the efforts of the countries of the region aimed at restoring durable peace and stability in the Central African Republic." The AU is the continent’s foremost political body. Former CAR army chief of staff Francois Bozize seized power on 15 March from President Ange-Felix Patasse. Bozize has since formed a 28-member transitional government and established a National Transitional Council to serve as an advisory body and law-making organ during a transitional period that he says will last between 18 months and three years.