Central African Republic

The Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked country situated at the geographical centre of the African continent, bordered by Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, and Cameroon. Despite its abundant natural resources, including diamonds, gold, and uranium, the nation remains among the world’s poorest and most fragile states. Its history of colonial exploitation, authoritarian rule, and prolonged internal conflict has profoundly shaped its political, economic, and social trajectory.

Historical Background

The territory of present-day CAR was among the last in Sub-Saharan Africa to be incorporated into global trade systems. From the early 18th century, the region became entangled in trans-Saharan and Atlantic slave trading networks, as well as the ivory trade. Competing ethnic groups and chieftaincies vied for control of trade routes and resources, creating social and political divisions that have endured into the modern era.
In 1903, France declared the area the colony of Ubangi-Shari, modelled on the administrative structures of the neighbouring Belgian Congo. The French granted concessionary companies extensive authority, resulting in widespread forced labour, particularly in rubber and ivory extraction. Despite the formal abolition of the slave trade by France in the 1910s, coercive labour systems and brutal exploitation persisted well into the 20th century.
Nationalist movements gained momentum in the post-war period, led by Barthélemy Boganda, who championed self-determination and social reform. His sudden death in 1959, shortly before independence, left a leadership vacuum. On 13 August 1960, the Central African Republic attained independence under President David Dacko, though stability was short-lived as successive coups ensued.
In 1966, Jean-Bédel Bokassa seized power and established a repressive regime marked by corruption and excess. His self-coronation as Emperor Bokassa I in 1976 and the creation of the Central African Empire epitomised the era’s autocracy. Mounting discontent and economic collapse culminated in a French-backed coup in 1979, restoring the republic.
Subsequent decades were characterised by weak governance and persistent instability. In 2013, the Séléka rebel coalition, primarily Muslim, overthrew President François Bozizé, igniting violent clashes with Christian militias known as anti-Balaka. This sectarian conflict led to mass displacement and the near collapse of state authority.
Efforts to restore order included peace agreements and elections in 2016 and 2020, which brought Faustin-Archange Touadéra to the presidency. Although a 2019 peace accord reduced hostilities, security remains fragile. The 2023 constitutional reform, abolishing presidential term limits and extending terms to seven years, consolidated executive power and drew criticism for entrenching authoritarianism.

Geography and Environment

The Central African Republic covers 622,984 square kilometres and shares 5,920 kilometres of borders with six countries. The terrain consists mainly of rolling plateaus and scattered hills, rising to the highest point at Mont Ngaoui (1,410 metres). The country’s principal river, the Oubangui, flows southward into the Congo River basin, supporting limited agriculture, fishing, and transport.
The climate is tropical, characterised by hot, dry winters and wet summers. The northern savannas transition into dense southern rainforests, forming part of the greater Congo Basin ecosystem.
Natural resources include diamonds, gold, uranium, timber, and hydropower potential, with small oil deposits. Despite these riches, resource exploitation has often financed conflict rather than development.
Environmental issues are severe: deforestation, soil degradation, poaching, and water pollution undermine biodiversity and human livelihoods. Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites — the Sangha Trinational Forest and Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park — exemplify both the country’s ecological significance and the pressures of poor conservation and armed conflict.

People and Society

The population of the Central African Republic in 2024 is approximately 5.65 million, with 43.6% residing in urban areas. The median age is 20.4 years, and life expectancy stands at 56.4 years, reflecting widespread poverty and inadequate healthcare.
The country’s ethnic composition is highly diverse, with over 80 groups. Major communities include:

• Baya: 28.8%
• Banda: 22.9%
• Mandjia: 9.9%
• Sara: 7.9%

The official languages are French and Sango, the latter serving as a unifying lingua franca across ethnic boundaries.
Religious composition:

• Roman Catholic: 34.6%
• Protestant: 15.7%
• Other Christian: 22.9%
• Muslim: 13.8%
• Traditional beliefs: 12%

Religion in the CAR is often syncretic, blending Christianity or Islam with traditional spiritual practices. Sectarian violence in the 2010s was largely rooted in political and social inequalities rather than theology.
Health indicators remain among the poorest globally. Maternal mortality is 692 deaths per 100,000 live births, while infant mortality reaches 80.5 per 1,000 live births. Only 36.3% of the population has access to improved water sources, and the physician density is a mere 0.07 per 1,000 people.
The literacy rate stands at 42.4%, with a sharp gender gap (men 59.8%, women 27.1%). Education spending accounts for 1.8% of GDP, and school attendance remains disrupted by insecurity and chronic underfunding.

Government and Politics

Officially known as the République centrafricaine, the country is a presidential republic with its capital in Bangui. The President serves as both head of state and government, wielding extensive powers over appointments, security, and legislation.

• President: Faustin-Archange Touadéra (since 2016)
• Prime Minister: Félix Moloua (since 2022)

Under the 2023 Constitution, the presidential term was extended from five to seven years and term limits were removed, significantly expanding executive authority.
The unicameral National Assembly, comprising 140 members, now serves seven-year terms. The United Hearts Movement (MCU) dominates political life, while opposition activity remains limited. Women hold 11.4% of parliamentary seats, reflecting low gender representation.
The judicial system, based on French civil law, includes a Supreme Court and Constitutional Court but operates with limited independence. Corruption and impunity persist, particularly in rural regions where armed groups control large areas.

Economy

The Central African Republic’s economy is predominantly agrarian, constrained by insecurity, minimal infrastructure, and weak governance. Despite vast mineral resources, economic development is stunted, and over two-thirds of the population (68.8%) live in extreme poverty.
Key indicators (2024):

• GDP (PPP): $5.93 billion
• GDP per capita (PPP): $1,100
• GDP growth: 1.5%
• Inflation: 3%
• Labour force: 2 million

Sectoral composition:

• Agriculture: 32.5%
• Industry: 17.8%
• Services: 40.5%

Agriculture, employing most citizens, produces cassava, groundnuts, maize, coffee, and yams. Industrial activities include timber processing and small-scale mining. The informal sector dominates, and the government struggles to collect taxes effectively due to insecurity.
Trade:

• Main exports: gold, diamonds, timber, cotton
• Main partners: UAE, China, France, Turkey, Belgium
• Main imports: refined petroleum, vehicles, medicines, machinery

While industrial output rose by 9.7% in 2024, the benefits remain uneven, and much of the diamond trade is illicit.

Infrastructure and Energy

Infrastructure development in the CAR is extremely limited and largely confined to Bangui and the Bangui–Douala corridor, the country’s main trade artery connecting to Cameroon.
Electricity access (2024):

• National: 15.7%
• Urban: 34.7%
• Rural: 1.6%

Electricity generation: 99.2% hydroelectric powerInstalled capacity: 63,000 kW
Road networks are largely unpaved and often impassable during the rainy season, hindering domestic and regional trade. Energy consumption per capita remains among the world’s lowest, and dependence on small hydro plants and imported fuel limits expansion.

Defence and Security

The Central African Armed Forces (FACA) consist of approximately 10,000–15,000 personnel, primarily focused on internal security and counter-insurgency. The force disintegrated following the 2013 Séléka coup, but international assistance has supported gradual reconstruction.
Foreign partners — notably France, Russia, Rwanda, and the United Nations — have trained and equipped units of the national army. Since 2017, Russian private military contractors have played a growing role, providing security for mining operations and advising government forces.
The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the CAR (MINUSCA), established in 2014, deploys over 18,000 personnel to protect civilians and support peacebuilding. Military expenditure reached 2.5% of GDP (2024), reflecting the government’s emphasis on stabilisation efforts.

Culture and Society

The Central African Republic’s cultural fabric is woven from deep-rooted traditions, oral heritage, and artistic expression. Music and dance are integral to social and religious life, often involving drums, xylophones, and the sanza (thumb piano).
The Sango language serves as a vital national unifier, transcending ethnic divisions. Oral storytelling and communal ceremonies remain central to rural identity, while traditional healers play important social roles.
The Baya and Banda peoples are celebrated for their woodcarving and mask-making, which embody spiritual and ancestral symbolism. Football is the most popular sport, with Bangui hosting most national competitions and cultural festivals.

Foreign Relations

The CAR’s foreign policy prioritises security cooperation, international aid, and peacekeeping support. The country maintains membership in major organisations, including the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN), CEMAC, and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).
Relations with France, its former colonial power, remain significant though increasingly balanced by partnerships with Russia and China. The United States and European Union are major providers of humanitarian and development assistance. Regional relations with Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are vital for trade and cross-border security.