Politics of the Central African Republic

Principal Government Officials
President of the Republic, Head of State--François Bozizé
Prime Minister, Head of Government--Abel Goumba
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