Central African Republic (CAR) President Michel Djotodia has resigned under intense pressure over his failure to stem the sectarian unrest ripping his country apart, a regional grouping announced Friday, January 10.
African leaders meeting in neighboring Chad to seek a solution to the crisis said they had "noted the resignation" of Djotodia and Prime Minister Nicolas Tiengaye, whose notoriously fractious relationship with the president had led to political paralysis.
Thousands of people took to the streets in CAR's capital, Bangui, most of them celebrating the news.
"We want Djotodia to stand down. We need someone new to lead the country," said one protester, while another said Djotodia should "stay in N'Djamena", accusing him of responsibility for a "massacre".
Although he was already due to step down when a transition period expires in a year's time, his inability to rein in chaos across the country prompted calls for a swifter change in leadership.
Mr Djotodia, CAR's first Muslim leader, seized power last year. Since then 20% of the population have fled fighting between Christian and Muslim militias.
Since December and the arrival of more regional peacekeepers and French troops, 1,000 people have died in sectarian clashes.
Many villages are deserted and in the past month the number of those who have fled their homes has doubled - including almost half of those living in the capital, Bangui.
French tanks were quickly deployed around the presidential palace.
Mr Djotodia's resignation was made in a statement by the 10-nation Economic Community of Central African States (Eccas).
The whole of CAR's National Transitional Council (CNT) had been flown in at short notice to decide the leadership of their nation.
Who is Michel Djotodia?
Becomes first Muslim leader of an overwhelmingly Christian country after seizing power from Francois Bozize in March 2013
Has led several rebel groups
Served as both defence minister and diplomat under previous peace deals
Said to have used diplomatic posting in Sudan's Darfur region to forge alliance with Janjaweed militia and fighters from Chad, who played a key role in his seizure of power
Officially disbanded his Seleka rebel group but they continue to kill and loot
BBC/REUTERS/ALJAZERA
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