Bozize elected CAR president
2005-05-25 09:51
Bangui - Two years after his fighters seized power in the Central African Republic — plagued with political instability — military strongman Francois Bozize won presidential elections, officials announced.
In a victory many hope will end cycles of army revolts, Bozize got 64.23% of the votes. His rival, former prime minister Martin Ziguele, received 35.77%, Jean Willibyro-Sacko, head of the national electoral commission, announced on Tuesday at parliament.
"We were expecting and hoping for that," said Jean-Francois Bassole, a 40-year-old taxi driver who joined crowds celebrating in the streets as results were announced on national radio. "We believe the international community will have more confidence in our country now that we have a democratically elected president."
There was no immediate reaction from Bozize or his rival's camp.
Election promise
Bozize, a one-time army general, seized power in March 2003 while former President Ange-Felix Patasse was overseas. Ziguele served as a prime minister under Patasse, now living in exile in Togo.
Many citizens who have suffered decades of army revolts since the tiny nation of 3.6 million gained independence from France in 1960 hope that as a military man, Bozize can deliver on his election promises of bringing security to the country.
The newly elected president will also have to tackle soaring inflation and unemployment rates in a country where joblessness in the capital is estimated at up to 40%.
Demanding better living conditions
"We just want a president that can improve our living conditions and also the learning environment," said Pierre Simity, a 22-year-old law student who stayed away from the celebrations.
The rundown University of Bangui has often been closed while teachers strike over not being paid.
While the landlocked Central African nation is rich in gold, diamonds and other minerals, its governments have been chronically cash-poor and unable to meet payrolls of the military and civil servants.
In the first round of balloting held March 13, Bozize won about 43% of the vote, less than the simple majority needed for a victory, prompting the runoff. Ziguele took 23%, while third place went to former military ruler Andre Kolingba, who garnered 16% and claimed the poll was fraudulent.
About 1.5 million of the nation's 3.6 million people were registered to vote in the polls.
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan commended the people of the Central African Republic for participating actively in the electoral process.
"The secretary-general calls on all segments of society to refrain from any action or statements likely to provoke violence or heighten tensions," the UN spokesperson said in a statement issued in New York.
- AP