Government and Politics of Central African Republic

Government Type

republic

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

Legal System

based on French law

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: least one parent must be a citizen of the Central African Republic dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 35 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (since 30 March 2016; reelected 27 December 2020) head of government: Prime Minister Felix MOLOUA (since 15 February 2022) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote to a five-year term, eligible for a second term; election last held on 27 December 2020 (next to be held in 2025); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Faustin-Archange TOUADERA reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (MCU) 53.2%, Anicet-Georges DOLOGUELE (URCA) 21.0%, other candidates combined 25.8%

Legislative Branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (140 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 14 March 2021, with a second round on 23 May 2021 (next to be held in 2026) election results: percent of vote by party - MCU 42.9%, UNDP 6.4%, URD 6.4%, KNK 4.8%, MLPC 3.2%, RDC 3.2%, other parties and independents 33.1%; seats by party - MCU 71, UNDP 9, URD 8, KNK 6, MLPC 6, RDC 4, other parties 18, independents 18

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

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]; National Convergence or KNK [leader NA]; 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]

Head of State

President Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (since 30 March 2016

Head of Government

Prime Minister Felix MOLOUA

Cabinet

Council of Ministers

Elections

last held on 14 March 2021, with a second round on 23 May 2021 (next to be held in 2026)

Election Results

percent of vote by party - MCU 42.9%, UNDP 6.4%, URD 6.4%, KNK 4.8%, MLPC 3.2%, RDC 3.2%, other parties and independents 33.1%; seats by party - MCU 71, UNDP 9, URD 8, KNK 6, MLPC 6, RDC 4, other parties 18, independents 18

Constitution

passed by referendum 29 December 1994; adopted 7 January 1995

Independence

13 August 1960 (from France)

National Holiday

Republic Day, 1 December (1958)

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, NAM, OIC (observer), OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Emmanuel TOUABOY chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800 FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); 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

Capital City

Bangui

Location

4 22 N, 18 35 E

Time Difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

established as a French settlement in 1889 and named after its location on the northern bank of the Ubangi River; the Ubangi itself was named from the native word for the "rapids" located beside the outpost, which marked the end of navigable water north from Brazzaville

The U.S. Embassy in Bangui suspended operations in December 2012, and therefore cannot provide protection or routine consular services to U.S. citizens in CAR. The Government of the Republic of France, acting through its Embassy in Bangui, serves as Protecting Power for U.S. interests in CAR. The range of consular services the French Republic provides to U.S. citizens is extremely limited, and those services may require significantly more processing time than at U.S. embassies or consulates outside of CAR. U.S. citizens in CAR who seek consular services should contact the Embassy of the Republic of France in Bangui by calling 236 21 61 30 00. U.S. citizens in CAR who are in need of emergency assistance in CAR, and are unable to reach the Embassy of the Republic of France, or must make contact outside business hours, should contact the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon: Telephone: 237 2220-1500 ext. 4341/4023 (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. local time) Emergencies: 237 2220-1500, ext. 4531 or 237 2222-25-89 E-mail: YaoundeACS@state.gov If you seek information about U.S. citizens' services in CAR from the Office of Overseas Citizens Services in Washington, please e-mail: CARemergencyUSC@state.gov.

Military Branches

Central African Armed Forces (Forces Armees Centrafricaines, FACA): Ground Forces (includes Military Air Service), General Directorate of Gendarmerie Inspection (DGIG), National Police

Service Age and Obligation

18 years of age for selective military service; 2-year conscript service obligation