Central African Republic : President’s resignation sparks celebrations in Bangui

Thousands in the Central African Republic’s capital Bangui have been celebrating the resignation of the country’s interim president.

Michel Djotodia quit after caving in to international pressure over his failure to halt deadly inter-religious violence in the former French colony.

He had been summoned to a regional summit in neighbouring Chad where his resignation was announced along with that of his prime minister Nicolas Tiangaye.

Djotodia was swept to power last year when a loose rebel alliance known as Seleka seized Bangui.

But abuses by his mainly Muslim rebels followed, leading to the creation of Christian defence militia. Amid clashes between the two sides, thousands are thought to have been killed and a million displaced.

France sent hundreds of troops in last month to support African peace keepers trying to restore order.

Amid news of the resignations, the French, operating under an UN mandate to assist the African force, strengthened their military presence on the streets.