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Research Library: Central African Republic

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Last Updated Aug 06, 2009

Country Information

The Central African Republic is a representative republican form of government. General Francois Boziz came to power by military coup in 2003 and was elected president in 2005 although the election was contested domestically and abroad.

The Central African Republic became independent in 1958. After tentative steps toward democracy, Jean-Bedel Bokassa gained power in response to strikes and bankruptcy. Bokassa later claimed to be emperor and ruled until he was deposed in 1981.
Multiple Parties were allowed for the first time in 1991, and a president Ange-Felix Patasse was elected in 1993. President Patasse was reelected in 1999, but was widely unpopular. After a failed coup attempt in 2001, President Patasse deposed.
The government does not have complete control of all territory and many areas are under rebel control.

The Central African Republic lacks main clear policies as the government suffers from political infighting and corruption and is not in control of all territory.

In December 2006 the French military supported military troops in their effort to gain control of rebel territories.
In September 2007 the UN authorized a peacekeeping face to protect Central African Republic civilians from violence in Sudan.

The Central African Republic is underdeveloped, with the majority of the population working in subsistence agriculture. Poor transportation infrastructure and a largely unskilled workforce have prevented much economic growth.
Diamonds are the the Central African Republic main export, although total exports are limited.

Central African Republic is a net recipient of official development assistance. For more information see the OECD Aid at a Glance chart.

Demographic
Population	4.27 million	2006
Population Age 15 and Younger (As % of total)	42.7%	2005
Population Age 65 and Older (As % of total)	3.9%	2005
Population Growth Rate	1.7%	2006
Life Expectancy	48 years	2006
Life Expectancy (male)	48 years	2006
Life Expectancy (female)	48 years	2006
Urban Population (As % of total)	38%	2005

Economic
Gross Domestic Product (In US$)	$1.75 billion	2008
Gross Domestic Product per capita (In US$)	$401	2008
Economic Inequality (Ratio of income/consumption of richest 10% to poorest 10%)	69.2	2007
National Budget (In US$)	$250 million	2007
Total Debt Service as % of GDP	0.4%	2005
Imports (In US$)	$230 million	2007
Exports (In US$)	$200 million	2007
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (In US$)	$20 million	2006
Unemployment Rate (As % of labor force)	Not Available
Carbon Dioxide Emissions (% share of world total)	0%	2004

Military
Military Expenditures (In US$)	$20 million	2006
Military Expenditures as % of GDP	1.1%	2006

Social
Human Development Index	0.38	2005
HIV Prevalence (Ages 15-49)	10.7%	2005
Literacy Rate (Age 15 and above)	48.6%	2000
Internet Users (per 1,000 people)	3	2005

Centrafrique-Presse
A state-owned bi-weekly paper (in French)
Added or modified on Aug 12, 2009
Central African Republic Government Website
Official website for the government of Central African Republic (in English and French)
Added or modified on Aug 12, 2009
IRIN Humanitarian News- Central African Republic
Humanitarian News and Analysis from IRIN sponsored by the UN Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Added or modified on Aug 12, 2009
Le Confident
A private daily paper (in French)
Added or modified on Aug 12, 2009
UPenn African Studies Center- Central African Republic
Link to information on Central African Republic
Added or modified on Aug 12, 2009