Bozize dismisses Goumba's government

Central African Republic (CAR) leader Francois Bozize on Thursday dismissed Prime Minister Abel Goumba and his government, Communications Minister Parfait Mbay announced on state-owned Radio Centrafrique.

Mbay read a presidential decree signed on Thursday by Bozize, but did not indicate whom Bozize had appointed to replace Goumba.

The dismissal came after weeks of discontent among the residents of the capital, Bangui, following a number of assassinations of civilians blamed on the security forces and Chadian mercenaries. The killings had prompted the population to demonstrate on the streets in protest against human rights violations and the impunity apparently enjoyed by the perpetrators.

Human rights bodies and political parties had denounced the violations and had called on Bozize to take vigorous action to end insecurity and punish violators.

Goumba (77), was appointed prime minister on 23 March, eight days after Bozize overthrew President Ange-Felix Patasse. In late March, Goumba formed a 28-member government which included all political parties.

Despite some positive achievements - the government had been able to pay salaries up to October and had convinced the European Community to partially maintain its cooperation with the CAR - Goumba had been unable to fully restore security, especially in Bangui and in the north, where former rebels turned into robbers and cattle raiders.