Hon Ngonyama, this country that we are discussing now has no experience of a government being changed through democratic elections. From 1960, its first President was a gentleman called David Dacko, who was ousted in a coup by Jean-Bdel Bokassa, who later styled himself as an emperor. David Dacko came back in 1981 to stage a coup. He was later also overthrown in a coup by Andr-Dieudonn Kolingba. Andr- Dieudonn Kolingba was also ousted in a coup by Boziz in 2003. Now, Boziz has been overthrown in a coup by the current leader of the transitional council. [Interjections.] [Laughter.]
So, the United Nations and the African Union are tired of coups in that country and are pleading and calling upon everybody to support processes that can stabilise it and lay down a foundation for democracy. The tasks of this transitional council, according to the communiqu, are as follows: they must restore order, and the Central African Multinational Force, Fomac armed forces - Fomac yes, not focac; leave the latter part out of it, it's unparliamentary [Laughter.] - have committed to provide about 2 000 soldiers to assist in the process of stabilising the country and establishing an armed force, as well as a police force.
There is also a monitoring committee - chaired by the President of the Republic of Congo, or Congo-Brazzaville, to monitor the implementation of this agreement. The members of this national transitional council will not be eligible for election. The timeline for their work is 18 months. It is hoped that they will be able to craft a constitution and put it to a referendum and prepare for the elections of parliamentarians as well as the president. That is the function of this transitional council. It is in that context that the chair of Eccas is pleading with the AU and the United Nations to support this.
The United Nations was present during the summit, and so were the AU, the European Union, the United States of America and the government of France, as well as the organisation called the International French-Speaking Organisation. They were all represented, and our President was also invited by the President of the Republic of Chad to observe these deliberations. Thank you very much. [Applause.]