'Peace dialogue delayed'

DW: Mrs Samba-Panza, in your recent speech to the nation you announced that you want to rebuild the country's army. But financially, your country is on its knees. How do you plan to achieve that?

Catherine Samba-Panza:The country may have problems but, as you know, a national army is essential for the sovereignty of a state. It is the task of our army to guarantee the country's peace and development. Investments have to be made in the army to protect the population. People are suffering from the instability and that's why we have established a unit that can intervene as quickly as possible, whenever there is an emergency. This force should be the beginning of a new, republican, professional army. And this army should be representative of all groups in our population: regional, religious and ethnic.

You pledged to the "National Transitional Council", the CNT, that you would deal firmly with impunity in the country. But because of the insecurity, currently the country has no functioning judicial system. How are you going to change that?

I am aware of the challenges that our legal system faces. Prisons have been destroyed, courthouses have been looted and many judges have left the country. The few officials who are still here, live in fear. But under an agreement with MINUSCA (United Nation's Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic) we will receive support, for example to train new staff and restore the criminal law. Most importantly, we have given up some of our sovereignty and allow foreign judges to work together with our judges. The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has already launched investigations into atrocities committed during the civil war in the Central African Republic. This came after we have asked them to help us. This shows how much we are willing to act against impunity, despite all the difficulties.

The mainly Muslim Seleka rebels are still present everywhere in the country. And the Christian-dominated anti-Balaka militias have been attacking the capital Bangui as often as they could. Why is it so difficult to disarm these groups?

The French, European and international troops had the mandate to disarm the guerrilla groups. Despite the UN's strong mandate, they have been having difficulties carrying this out. The groups have managed to rearm themselves because many of our neighboring countries, such as Sudan and South Sudan, are also experiencing conflict. This bolsters the illegal arms trade. W cannot tackle this problem alone. That's why we turned to the African Union (AU) and MINUSCA, because the UN has better means to combat the illicit arms trade.

On the fringes of the UN General Assembly, you expressed concern that the February 2015 election date is unrealistic. But then you recently said that your transitional government will end in February. How does this fit together?

In an interview a month ago, the president of the National Electoral Council, spoke of difficulties in complying with the election date chosen. Financial and political constraints were among them. When I was asked, I expressed the same concerns. Then it was suddenly reported that I did not want elections to take place, although I had only expressed the same concerns as my colleague.

You have announced that you wish to establish a reconciliation committee. What form will it take and where will it be based?

The reconciliation should take place at grassroots levels, in view of the fragmentation of the Central African society. The second stage would be to register the concerns of the population nationwide. Then the dialogue could start. Political turmoil has made us lose two months of our time. If this continues, then this political dialogue will not be able to start until 2015. Therefore, I have proposed the establishment of a preparatory committee that will represent the political, ethnic and religious factions. This committee should decide whether the two ex-presidents Francois Bozize and Michel Djotodia should be allowed to participate in the political dialogue.

And yet there is repeated criticism that your government does not represent all sections of society.

All political groups will be involved. We have about 60 political parties in the country. Many have joined together; otherwise we would have a government of 150 people. Currently we have four members of Seleka in the government. Whenever I hear criticism that the government is not representative, the only thing I can say is: That's not true.

What do you expect from the international community, particularly from Germany?

Germany is a member state of the European Union which is actively working together with us. The EU has sent in troops and provides important development aid. Germany is an important country in Europe and we are counting on it becoming more involved. At a meeting with Chancellor Merkel, I told her that she is also a role model for many African women. And that I count on the solidarity between women and on their support in my difficult mission. I have also expressed a desire to come to Germany.

Can you promise the people of Central African Republic that the crisis will soon be over?

I took action in this emergency just like a firefighter who wants to calm down the situation. The Central Africans have placed great hopes in me and I must not disappoint then. I will do everything I can to ensure that peace, security and and above all development return to the country. This crisis is primarily caused by poverty and lack of development.

Catherine Samba-Panza is the interim president of the Central African Republic.

Interview: Eric Topona