N'DJAMENA, Central African Republic (PNN) - April 3, 2013 - African heads of state on Wednesday refused to recognize rebel leader Michel Djotodia's self-appointment as president of Central African Republic, calling instead for the creation of a new transitional body to guide the country to elections.
The decision, taken at a summit of leaders from the central African region, further isolates Djotodia, who led thousands of insurgents into the former French colony's crumbling riverside capital Bangui on March 24, ousting President Francois Bozize.
"It seems impossible to us to recognize a man who has appointed himself," Chadian President Idriss Deby said following the summit in Chad's capital N'djamena.
African and Western leaders have already condemned the rebellion in the mineral-rich but chronically unstable nation. The African Union suspended Central African Republic and imposed sanctions on Djotodia while Washington said he was not a legitimate leader.
Djotodia has already tried to contain international condemnation by creating a transitional government headed by a civilian prime minister, Nicolas Tiangaye, and promising elections in three years.
A spokeswoman for Djotodia said earlier she hoped the new leadership in Bangui would get regional backing.
But Deby said the summit had instead called for the creation of a transitional institution that would draw up a new constitution and prepare for elections within 18 months.
The decisions of the summit were greeted with cautious optimism by Central African Republic's political opposition, which has rejected the new government, saying it is stacked with Djotodia allies.
Though organized by regional states, the summit included a delegation led by South African President Jacob Zuma, who is under growing pressure at home following the deaths of 13 South African soldiers on March 24.
The withdrawal of South African forces, in the country under agreements with Bozize, had been a demand of the rebels during peace talks with the government in Gabon earlier this year.
However, Pretoria sent reinforcements to Bangui as the rebellion built up last month.
Those soldiers will now return home, said Deby.
