Michel Djotodia. Photo: AFP

African heads of state on Wednesday refused to recognize rebel leader Michel Djotodia's self-appointment as President of the Central African Republic. At an extraordinary meeting of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) in Chad's capital N'djamena, Chadian President Idriss Deby said that "It seems impossible to us to recognize a man who has appointed himself", so the leadership role of Michel Djotodia is not recognized. He added that the Central African Republic needs to establish a legislature with the function of a National Assembly and a transitional institution that would draw up a new constitution and prepare for elections within 18 months. He said that a mission including authorities from ECCAS, the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) will visit the Central African Republic on Thursday to deliver the message of ECCAS to citizens here. The economic community will hold another summit after the current international mission is completed.