国际英语新闻:S. Africa says not to recognize CAR gov't

JOHANNESBURG, April 4 (Xinhua) -- The South African government on Thursday announced that it will not recognize the government of Central African Republic (CAR) which was formed after a military takeover.

South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane made the announcement at a press conference in Pretoria.

CAR President Francois Bozize was overthrown last month by the Seleka rebel coalition.

Chad on Wednesday called an extraordinary summit of heads of state and government of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) to discuss the crisis.

South African President Jacob Zuma attended the summit at the invitation.

"The ECCAS extra-ordinary summit decided that the government of the CAR, which was constituted after the March 23, 2013, is not recognized as a legitimate government. This is in line with the African Union (AU) statutes that outlaw unconstitutional changes of governments on the continent," said the minister.

"The position of the AU is very clear that there could be no recognition given to any government that comes to power through unconstitutional means, especially through a violent military coup, such as the one in the CAR," the minister said.

"The leadership of our continent is showing no tolerance to unlawful changes of governments," the minister added.

She believed that South Africa and the ECCAS decision will strengthen the AU's authority.

President Zuma announced at the summit that his country has decided to withdraw its peacekeeping troops from Central African Republic.

The minister said since the government which signed the Memorandum of Understanding with South Africa is no longer in power, the agreement is now null and void, hence the withdrawal of troops.