BANUGI
President Michel Djotodia of the Central African Republic (CAR) reiterated on Saturday readiness to hold talks with his rivals and hold elections to end the ongoing crisis in the country.
"Our government is concerned about the crisis and we are willing to have a dialogue with the enemies in order to resolve the worsening sectarian conflict," Djotodia told a press conference at a military base in the capital Bangui.
He did not clarify those he referred to as "enemies".
The smartly dressed president, a former diplomat and rebel leader, said his country was ready to hold elections.
Again, he did not specify what elections – presidential or parliamentary – and did not give a timetable.
CAR, a landlocked, mineral-rich country, descended into anarchy in March, when Seleka rebels – said to be mostly Muslims – ousted Christian president François Bozize, who had come to power in a 2003 coup.
Djotodia said that they had ousted the former leader because of bad leadership, adding that he would not commit the same mistake.
"I have a dream to develop this country because it has huge mineral resources that we can extract and build the country," he stressed.
The months following the ouster of Bozize have seen the emergence of self-styled Christian militias, known as the "anti-balaka."
In a report issued Thursday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) it described the anti-balaka militias as "local vigilantes and soldiers loyal to the previous government."
It accused the Christian militia of perpetrating a number of recent "atrocities" against Muslim communities.
Djotodia urged all citizens to end sectarian violence and close ranks.
CAR is blessed with different types of minerals such as Uranium, Gold, diamond and copper, among others.
However, the country is described as one of the world's least developed with an estimated per capita income of $800.
By Hassan Isilow
englishnews@aa.com.tr
