Ivory Coast's new interim leader
5 December 2005
Central banker Charles Konan Banny has been appointed as transitional prime minister of the Ivory Coast.
'Radical change'
The announcement came after the intervention of three Africa heads of state, South Africa's Thabo Mbeki, Nigeria's Olusegun Obasanjo and Mamadu Tandja of Niger.
The three had flown into the country from the Franco African Summit in Bamako, Mali in a last-ditch effort to resuscitate the peace process.
Obasanjo told the SA Press Association (Sapa) that the nomination was "a step toward radical change for a new Ivory Coast."
"This is not a victory for a specific person," he said, "It is the victory of all Ivorians, whether on the side of the government or of the rebellion."
Independent
Banny, the 63-year-old governor of the Central Bank of West African States, is to oversee the country in the period leading up to elections, due to be held in
October 2006.
He will have broad powers, including control of the country's security forces and finances and executive control over the country's Cabinet, and will be responsible for both the day-today running of the country and for ensuring a peaceful run-up to the 2006 elections.
He will not be eligible to run in the election.
Security Council
Banny's appointment follows a United Nations Security Council-mandated plan, announced as preparations for an October 2005 election were postponed, following the stalling of the disarmament process.
Rival political factions had failed to agree on an interim, neutral leader within the UN-mandated deadline.
The Ivory Coast has been divided between the south, controlled by President Laurent Gbagbo, and the Muslim rebel-controlled northern regions since January 2002.
Gbagbo was expected to confirm the announcement early in the week.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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