3 GeoFroggy

Country Name

Conventional long form: Central African Republic

Conventional short form: none

Local long form: Republique Centrafricaine

Local short form: none

Former: Ubangi-Shari, 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, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga

Independence

13 August 1960 (from France)

National Holiday

Republic Day, 1 December (1958)

Constitution

Passed by referendum 5 December 2004

Legal System

based on French law

International Law Organization Participation

Citizenship

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

Executive Branch

Chief of state: President Francois BOZIZE (since 15 March 2003 coup)

Head of government: Prime Minister Elie DOTE (since 13 June 2005) note - Celestin GAOMBALET resigned 11 June 2005

Cabinet: Council of Ministers

Elections: president elected to five year term with a two-term limit; next presidential elections scheduled for 10 April 2005; prime minister appointed by the political party with a parliamentary majority

Legislative Branch

Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (109 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms

Elections: last held 22-23 November and 13 December 1998 (next to be held 13 March 2005)

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

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court (3 judges appointed by the president, 3 by the president of the National Assembly, and 3 by fellow judges); Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Inferior Courts

Political Parties and Leaders

Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Jacques MBOLIEDAS]; Central African Democratic Assembly or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; Civic Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Forum for Modernity 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 deposed president, Ange-Felix PATASSE]; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; People's Union for the Republic or UPR [Pierre Sammy MAKFOY]; National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE]

Political Pressure Groups and Leaders

NA

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

Capital

    Bangui

Diplomatic Representation in the US

  • Chief Of Mission
    Ambassador Emmanuel TOUABOY
  • 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
    Charge d'Affaires James PANOS
  • Embassy
    Avenue David Dacko, Bangui
  • Mailing Address
    B. P. 924, Bangui
  • Telephone
    [236] 61 02 00
  • FAX
    [236] 61 44 94
  • Note
    the embassy is currently operating with a minimal staff

International Organization Participation

  • ACCT
  • ACP
  • AfDB
  • AU
  • BDEAC
  • CEMAC
  • FAO
  • FZ
  • G-77
  • IAEA
  • IBRD
  • ICAO
  • ICCt
  • ICFTU
  • ICRM
  • IDA
  • IFAD
  • IFC
  • IFRCS
  • ILO
  • IMF
  • Interpol
  • IOC
  • ITU
  • MIGA
  • NAM
  • OIC (observer)
  • OPCW (signatory)
  • UN
  • UNCTAD
  • UNESCO
  • UNIDO
  • UPU
  • WCL
  • WCO
  • WHO
  • WIPO
  • WMO
  • WToO
  • WTO