Bozize says transition to end January 2005

Central African Republic (CAR) leader Francois Bozize said on Friday that his rule, which started on 15 March when he ousted President Ange-Felix Patasse in a coup, would end in January 2005. "I must restore stability in the CAR to ensure the return to a constitutional order," he said. Previously, Bozize had said the transition would last between 18 and 30 months. He said he would not contest the presidency at the end of the transition. He was speaking at the former national assembly building during the inauguration of the National Transitional Council that he set up in April to serve as an advisory and lawmaking body. Composed of representatives of all political, religious, professional and social affiliations; the council will draft a new constitution, as well as prepare a national dialogue conference and elections. "This council, like the head of state, is not elected and therefore can never replace the parliament, " he said. Soon after seizing power, he dissolved the national assembly and the government and suspended the constitution. Then, he appointed veteran politician Abel Goumba, 76, as prime minister of a 28-member government, among whom two are from Patasse's Mouvement de Liberation du Peuple Centrafricain party. This party is also represented in the council. During his speech, Bozize said security remained among his uppermost priorities. But, so far, he has failed to restore security to the northern regions still under control of bands of armed men who are terrorising the public. Meantime, government-run Radio Centrafrique announced on Sunday that an extraordinary summit of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central African States (CEMAC) about the situation in the CAR is to be held on Monday in Libreville, capital of Gabon. CEMAC is the only international body that has recognised the new CAR administration. Its current chairman, Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou-Nguesso, has said CEMAC would plead the CAR's case to the African Union.