President for a year

"At the very heart of the people, I felt this desire to elect a woman who could bring peace and reconciliation."

Catherine Samba-Panza, interim president of Central African Republic

1954 born 26 June in Chad. Samba-Panza's father is from Cameroon, her mother is from the CAR.
1972 moved to CAR aged 18 and worked in insurance and as a corporate lawyer. Was active in a women's rights organisation, campaigning against female genital mutilation.
2003 formally entered politics and chaired a reconciliation process aimed at bringing the country's different groups together. Said that the violence between Christian and Muslim groups had its roots in poverty.
2012 became the mayor of Bangui.
2014 sworn in as interim president of CAR on 23 January. She is the first woman to hold the post.

Sources:
Words -  UK Guardian: Central African Republic's 'Mother Courage' fights to bring peace where men have failed.
Image - The Economist: Africa's third female president / Central African Republic under new management. 

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