23 Facts About Michel Djotodia

Michel Am-Nondokro Djotodia was born on c 1949 and is a Central African politician who was President of the Central African Republic from 2013 to 2014.

Michel Djotodia was the first Muslim to hold that office in the predominantly Christian country.

Michel Djotodia promised to lead a transition to new elections in which he would not be a candidate, but his time in office was marked by escalating sectarian violence, and he was ultimately pressured into resigning by regional leaders on 10 January 2014.

Michel Djotodia was born in Gordil, Vakaga, French Equatorial Africa, reportedly in 1949.

Michel Djotodia is a Muslim of the Gula people, and as one, he is part of a religious minority population in the mostly Christian Central African Republic.

Michel Djotodia lived in the Soviet Union for about 10 years.

Michel Djotodia served for a time as the CAR's consul in the Sudanese city of Nyala.

Michel Djotodia soon became involved in a milieu of rebel activity; he was one of the founders and leading members of the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity rebel group in 2006.

Michel Djotodia lived in exile in Cotonou, Benin during the war.

In December 2012, Michel Djotodia was a key leader in the Seleka rebel coalition when it succeeded in rapidly taking control of a large portion of the country.

Michel Djotodia received the key post of First Deputy Prime Minister for National Defense.

The rebels kept their five ministers, including Michel Djotodia, from going to Bangui.

Michel Djotodia said that rebel soldiers made the decision, not himself.

Michel Djotodia said that there would be a three-year transitional period and that Tiangaye would continue to serve as Prime Minister.

Michel Djotodia promptly suspended the constitution and dissolved the government, as well as the National Assembly.

Michel Djotodia then reappointed Tiangaye as Prime Minister on 27 March 2013.

Top military and police officers met with Michel Djotodia and recognized him as President on 28 March 2013.

Michel Djotodia was formally sworn in as President on 18 August 2013.

Michel Djotodia vowed that he would not stand as a presidential candidate.

Michel Djotodia's government came under scrutiny from NGOs including Global Witness due to the lucrative deals it struck with logging companies involved in the timber industry.

Sectarian violence between Muslims and non-Muslims continued to escalate, and Michel Djotodia faced pressure from regional leaders and the international community due to his apparent inability to control the situation.

Michel Djotodia resigned as President at a summit held in N'Djamena on 10 January 2014.

Seleka announced in July 2014 that Michel Djotodia had been restored as leader of the group.