CAR`s former President Michel Djotodia seeks exile in Benin

Central African Republic`s (CAR) interim President Michel Djotodia who recently resigned after failing to halt the deadly inter-religious violence in the country sought exile in Banjui.

Zee Media Bureau

Banjui: Central African Republic`s (CAR) interim President Michel Djotodia who recently resigned after failing to halt the deadly inter-religious violence in the country sought exile here. According to news reports, Djotodia arrived in Benin on Saturday after stepping down as president under intense diplomatic pressure on Friday, as a flare up of violence in Bangui dashed hopes his resignation would cool tensions in the strife-torn nation. CAR`s interim leaders, President Michel Djotodia and Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye had submitted their resignation at a two-day summit of the Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC) in neighbouring Chad, under international pressure of not being able to put an end to the violence. Thousands of people have been killed and a million displaced since abuses by Djotodia`s mainly Muslim rebels, known as Seleka, prompted the creation of Christian self-defence militia after he seized power in March. With memories of Rwanda`s 1994 genocide stirred by the unrest, France sent hundreds of troops to its former colony last month to support African peacekeeping forces. But the killings have continued, and France has repeatedly voiced its frustration with Djotodia`s government. Sporadic gunfire rang out in Bangui after curfew on Friday as French forces fired warning shots to prevent clashes between rival fighters in one neighbourhood. Djotodia and Tiangaye resigned after Central African Republic`s transitional assembly (CNT) was summoned to the Chad summit late on Thursday to decide on the country`s future. Under an agreement brokered by the CEEAC last year, the CNT elected Djotodia to his position as interim president in April to take Central African Republic to elections, due at the end of this year.