Central African Republic president shuffles top ministers before election

Central African Republic interim President Catherine Samba Panza replaced the defence, public security and justice ministers as part of a cabinet reshuffle less than two months before a general election, state radio said.

The decision follows weeks of consultations initiated by Samba Panza in the wake of inter-religious violence that killed 77 people in the capital Bangui in late September.

Under the shake-up announced late on Thursday, Joseph Bindoumi, head of the Central African League of Human Rights, replaces Marie-Noelle Koyara as defence minister.

Chrysostome Sambia, a general in the gendarmerie, will serve as public security minister, while Dominique Said Paguindji, who previously held that post, becomes minister of justice.

The ministers of rural development and youth were also replaced.

Four people were lynched on Bangui’s streets on Thursday. Clashes between Muslims and Christians have spiked anew and some fear they could endanger the Dec. 13 election, meant to restore democratic rule after two years of bloodshed.

Pope Francis is to visit Bangui next month.