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

Ratified by popular referendum 5 December 2004; effective 27 December 2004

Legal System

based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

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 Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (since 22 January 2008)

Cabinet: Council of Ministers

Elections: under the new constitution, the president elected to a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held 13 March and 8 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010); prime minister appointed by the political party with a parliamentary majority

Election results: Francois BOZIZE elected president; percent of second round balloting - Francois BOZIZE (KNK) 64.6%, Martin ZIGUELE (MLPC) 35.4%

Legislative Branch

Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (105 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

Elections: last held 13 March 2005 and 8 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010)

Election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - KNK 42, MLPC 11, RDC 8, PSD 4, FPP 2, ADP 2, LONDO 1, independents 34, other 1

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 Rally 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]; Londo Association or LONDO; Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD [David DACKO]; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [Ange-Felix PATASSE] (the party of deposed president); National Convergence or KNK; 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

Monam (combating gender-base violence)

Flag Description

Four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; a yellow five-pointed star to the hoist side of the blue band

National Anthem

Year

Government Type

  • Republic

Capital

  • Name
    Bangui
  • Geographic Coordinates
    4 22 N, 18 35 E
  • Time Difference
    UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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
    Ambassador Frederick B. COOK
  • 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
  • ICRM
  • IDA
  • IFAD
  • IFC
  • IFRCS
  • ILO
  • IMF
  • Interpol
  • IOC
  • ITSO
  • ITU
  • ITUC
  • MIGA
  • NAM
  • OIC (observer)
  • OIF
  • OPCW
  • UN
  • UNCTAD
  • UNESCO
  • UNIDO
  • UNWTO
  • UPU
  • WCL
  • WCO
  • WFTU
  • WHO
  • WIPO
  • WMO
  • WTO