Politics of the Central African Republic

Template:Politics of Central African Republic

Government

The official government was deposed in March 15, 2003 by forces under the rebel leader François Bozizé, who promised elections in 18 to 30 months. A new cabinet was set up in April 1, 2003. Elections were held on March 13, 2005.

Principal Government Officials
President of the Republic, Head of State--François Bozizé
Prime Minister, Head of Government--Célestin Gaombalet
President of the National Assembly--Luc Apolinaire Dondon Konamabaye

Other Ministers
Minister of Agricultural Modernization & Development--Guianza, Pierre
Minister of Civil Service & Labor--Voti, Jacques
Minister of Communications & National Reconciliation --Mbaye, Parfait
Minister of Defense--François Bozizé
Minister of Energy and Mines--Mbutingaye, Sylvain
Minister of Environment--Kouamba, Joseph Ki Tiki
Minister of Family and Social Affairs--Doumta, Lea
Minister of Finance, Budget, and the Economy--Goumba, Abel
Minister of Foreign Affairs--Meckassoua, Abdou
Minister of Justice, Human Rights, & Good Governance--Baudou, Faustin
Minister of Livestock Development--Kosibela, Denis
Minister of Posts & Telecommunications--Salao, Idriss
Minister of Public Health & Population--Nali, Nestor Mamadou
Minister of Public Security--Vandeboli, Michel
Minister of Restoration of Government Buildings--Gotobulu, Abraham
Minister of Territorial Administration--Malonga, Marcel
Minister of Tourism & Craft Industry Development--Dacko, Bruno
Minister of Trade, Industry, & Private Sector Promotion--Vacant
Minister of Water and Forests--Yondo, Maurice
Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture--Vacant

Ambassador to the United States--Touaboy, Emmanuel
Ambassador to the United Nations--Vacant

The Central African Republic maintains an embassy in the United States at 1618-22nd Street, NW, Washington, D.C. (tel: 202-483-7800/01, fax: 202-332-9893).

Country name:
conventional long form: Central African Republic
conventional short form: none
local long form: Republique Centrafricaine
local short form: none
former: Central African Empire
abbreviation: CAR

Data code: CT

Government type: republic

Capital: Bangui

Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Gribingui*, Haute-Kotto, Haute-Sangha, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo-Gribingui, Lobaye, Mbomou, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha*, Vakaga

Independence: 13 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday: National Day, 1 December (1958) (proclamation of the republic)

Constitution: passed by referendum 29 December 1994; adopted 7 January 1995

Legal system: based on French law

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President François BOZIZE (since 15 March 2003); note - took power in a coup which deposed President PATASSE
head of government: Prime Minister Abel GOUMBA (since 23 March 2003)
cabinet: National Transitional Council
elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 19 September 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Ange-Felix PATASSE reelected president; percent of vote - Ange-Felix PATASSE 51.63%, Andre KOLINGBA 19.38%, David DACKO 11.15%; PATASSE was deposed by BOZIZE in 15 March 2003

Legislative branch: none
elections: last held 22-23 November and 13 December 1998 (next to be held NA 2004)
election results: percent of vote by party - MLPC 43%, RDC 18%, MDD 9%, FPP 6%, PSD 5%, ADP 4%, PUN 3%, FODEM 2%, PLD 2%, UPR 1%, FC 1%, independents 6%; seats by party - MLPC 47, RDC 20, MDD 8, FPP 7, PSD 6, ADP 5, PUN 3, FODEM 2, PLD 2, UPR 1, FC 1, independents 7; note - after a coup, all government functions were dissolved

Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme, judges appointed by the president; Constitutional Court, judges appointed by the president

Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [leader NA]; Central African Democratic Assembly or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; Civic Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Forum or FODEM [Charles MASSI]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD [David DACKO]; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [the party of the president, Ange-Felix PATASSE]; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; People's Union for the Republic or UPR [leader NA]; National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE]

International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, [[[G-77]], IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC (observer), OPCW, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: None
chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800
FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: None
embassy: Bangui (E), Avenue David Dacko, B.P. 924
mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui
telephone: [236] 61 26 21
FAX: [236] 61 44 94

Flag description: four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band

See also : Central African Republic