3 GeoFroggy

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

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

International Law Organization Participation

Citizenship

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

Executive Branch

Chief of state: President Ange-Felix PATASSE (since 22 October 1993)

Head of government: Prime Minister Anicet Georges DOLOGUELE (since 4 January 1999)

Cabinet: Council of Ministers

Elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 19 September 1999 (next to be held NA 2005); 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%

Legislative Branch

Elections: last held 22-23 November and 13 December 1998 (next to be held NA 2003)

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 - results of election are being contested

Note: the National Assembly is advised by the Economic and Regional Council or Conseil Economique et Regional; when they sit together they are called the Congress or Congres

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]

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

National Anthem

Year

Government Type

  • Republic

Data Code

  • CT

Capital

    Bangui

Diplomatic Representation in the US

  • Chief Of Mission
    Ambassador Henri KOBA
  • 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
    Ambassador Robert C. PERRY
  • Embassy
    Avenue David Dacko, Bangui
  • Mailing Address
    B. P. 924, Bangui
  • Telephone
    [236] 61 26 21
  • FAX
    [236] 61 44 94

International Organization Participation

  • ACCT
  • ACP
  • AfDB
  • BDEAC
  • CCC
  • CEEAC
  • ECA
  • FAO
  • FZ
  • G-77
  • IBRD
  • ICAO
  • 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