Bozize names team to lead national conference

Central African Republic leader Francois Bozize has appointed a new 11-member team to coordinate a national conference, due to begin in September, aimed at reconciling the nation after months of war. Citing a presidential decree signed on Tuesday, state-controlled Radio Centrafrique reported that Rev Isaac Zokoe, assisted by Rev Josue Binoua, would head the coordination team. They replace Roman Catholic Archbishop Paulin Pomodimo, who resigned on Friday, and his deputy Henri Maidou who Bozize has appointed as his special adviser. Former President Ange-Felix Patasse appointed Pomodimo and Maidou in November 2002, when Patasse first announced plans for the national conference in a bid to end Bozize's six-month rebellion. Bozize overthrew Patasse on 15 March. The new coordination team, whose task is to "prepare, organise and supervise" the national dialogue, comprises government representatives Col Paul Djimassi and Mathurin Bengue Bossi; those of the National Transitional Council, notably former Prime Minister and Chairman of the Parti Social Democrate Enock Derant Lakoe and former Mines Minister and Chairman of Forum pour la Democratie et la Modernité Charles Massi; as well as reporters and treasurers. Women appointed to the team include Catherine Samba Panza as second deputy coordinator, Marie Noelle Koyama as deputy reporter, and Simone Bodemo as treasurer. These nominations came a week after the transitional council recommended the formation of a new coordination team and a 72-member body to prepare the talks. Instead, Bozize has given that task to the coordination team and a 40-member body that includes delegates from all the country's social, political, professional and religious affiliations. Divided into commissions on truth and reconciliation; political and diplomatic issues; defence and security; economy and finances; educational, social and cultural matters; and logistics, the team is expected to have completed its work on 10 September. Bozize has fixed the talks for 11-20 September. The preparatory team is mandated to designate at most 350 participants to the dialogue and to invite at most 30 foreign guests.