Nicolas Tiangaye
Nicolas Tiangaye | |
---|---|
Prime Minister of the Central African Republic | |
In office 17 January 2013 – 10 January 2014 | |
President | François Bozizé Michel Djotodia (Transitional from 18 August 2013) |
Preceded by | Faustin-Archange Touadéra |
Succeeded by | André Nzapayeké |
Personal details | |
Born | Independent | 13 September 1956
Nicolas Tiangaye (born 13 September 1956
Following a peace agreement between the government and rebels, Tiangaye was designated by the opposition and the rebels as their choice for the post of Prime Minister in January 2013. He stepped down (alongside President Michel Djotodia) on 10 January 2014.
Early life and career
Tiangaye was born at
Tiangaye served as President of the Central African Human Rights League (LCDH) from its foundation in 1991 until 2004. He was a defense lawyer for the
After François Bozizé seized power in March 2003, Tiangaye was designated as one of the 98 members of the National Transitional Council (CNT), which was established to act as a transitional legislative body; he was included on the council as a representative of a human rights organization, due to his role as President of the LCDH.
Political career
The CNT remained in place for two years, during the transitional period leading up to the
In 2010, Tiangaye was Spokesman of the Forces of Change Collective, which was composed of opposition parties as well as former rebels, at a time when the government was attempting to organize a
Prime Minister
In December 2012, a coalition of rebel groups called
On 13 January 2013, Tiangaye announced that he had been unanimously selected by opposition leaders as their choice for the post of prime minister.[12] However, Bozizé hesitated to appoint Tiangaye without the approval of the Séléka rebels, causing a short delay.[14] The Séléka rebels announced on 15 January 2013 that they endorsed the opposition's choice.[15]
President Bozizé appointed Tiangaye as Prime Minister in a ceremony held in Bangui on 17 January 2013. Tiangaye declared that there was "hard work" ahead, but also "peace on the horizon"; he said that "the government must address urgently ... the pacification of the country and the restructuring of the army". He stressed the importance of cooperation and said that he had "no personal problem with the president." For his part, Bozizé wished Tiangaye good luck.[4]
According to the terms of the peace agreement, a new parliamentary election was intended to be held after one year, while the next presidential election would be held as originally scheduled in 2016; both Bozizé and Tiangaye would be barred from standing as presidential candidates at that time.[4]
Negotiations regarding the composition of the national unity government followed Tiangaye's appointment. Eventually, the government's composition was announced on 3 February 2013. Ministerial portfolios were divided between Bozizé supporters, the rebels, and the political opposition; notably, rebel leader
The peace agreement unraveled in March 2013, as Séléka resumed seizing towns, accusing Bozizé of failing to keep his promises.[17] After days of fighting, the rebels captured Bangui on 24 March 2013, forcing Bozizé to flee the country, and Djotodia was declared President. Djotodia said that there would be a three-year transitional period and that Tiangaye would continue to serve as Prime Minister.[18]
Djotodia promptly suspended the constitution and dissolved the government, as well as the National Assembly.[19] He then reappointed Tiangaye as Prime Minister on 27 March 2013.[2][20] Tiangaye commanded substantial respect among those who opposed Bozizé, political parties and rebels alike, as well as international observers.[2]
A new government headed by Tiangaye, with 34 members, was appointed on 31 March 2013; Djotodia retained the defense portfolio. There were nine members of Séléka in the government, along with eight representatives of the parties that had opposed Bozizé, while only one member of the government was associated with Bozizé.[21] 16 positions were given to representatives of civil society. The former opposition parties were unhappy with the composition of the government; on 1 April 2013, they declared that they would boycott the government to protest its domination by Séléka. They argued that the 16 positions given to representatives of civil society were in fact "handed over to Séléka allies disguised as civil society activists".[22]
References
- ^ a b Pierre Kalck and Xavier-Samuel Kalck, Historical Dictionary of the Central African Republic (2005), page 182.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Nicolas Tiangaye: C.Africa PM and 'man of integrity'", Agence France-Presse, 27 March 2013.
- ^ Brian Titley, Dark Age: The Political Odyssey of Emperor Bokassa (1997), page 184.
- ^ a b c d Patrick Fort, "Tiangaye named Central African PM, says 'hard work' begins", Agence France-Presse, 17 January 2013.
- ^ "Central African Republic: Court acquits former minister accused of treason", IRIN, 7 October 2002.
- ^ "Central African Republic: Members of transitional council confirmed", IRIN, 30 May 2003.
- ^ "Central African Republic: National transitional council elects executive board", IRIN, 16 June 2003.
- ^ Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social, and Cultural Series, volume 40 (2003), page 15,341.
- ^ "Opposition supporters riot after partial Central African vote result", Agence France-Presse, 15 May 2005.
- ^ "C.Africa opposition to boycott presidential vote: spokesman", Agence France-Presse, 9 April 2010.
- ^ Christian Panika, "President postpones Central African polls", Agence France-Presse, 29 April 2010.
- ^ a b c "Central African opposition names Tiangaye as new PM", Agence France-Presse, 13 January 2013.
- ^ "Central Africa deal moves forward after PM dismissal", Agence France-Presse, 12 January 2013.
- ^ Patrick Fort, "No deal on new power-sharing PM for Central Africa", Agence France-Presse, 14 January 2013.
- ^ "Central African rebels back Tiangaye for PM", Agence France-Presse, 15 January 2013.
- ^ "Opposition, rebels take key posts in new C.African Republic govt", Reuters, 3 February 2012.
- ^ Hippolyte Marboua and Krista Larson, "Central African Republic rebels threaten new fight", Associated Press, 18 March 2013.
- ^ "C.African Republic rebel chief to name power-sharing government" Archived 16 April 2013 at archive.today, Reuters, 25 March 2013.
- ^ "CAR rebel head Michel Djotodia 'suspends constitution'". BBC News. 25 March 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ^ "Centrafrique: Nicolas Tiangaye reconduit Premier ministre", Agence France-Presse, 27 March 2013 (in French).
- ^ "Rebels, opposition form government in CentrAfrica: decree", Agence France-Presse, 31 March 2013.
- ^ Ange Aboa, "Central African Republic opposition says to boycott new government", Reuters, 1 April 2013.
- ^ a b "Central African Republic president, PM resign at summit: statement", Reuters, 10 January 2014.
- ^ a b "CAR president Djotodia and PM Tiangaye resign", Radio France Internationale, 10 January 2014.