style="font-size:15px;"> Republique Centrafricainelocal short form:
none
former:
Central African Empire
Abbreviation:
CAR
Digraph:
CT
Type:
republic; one-party presidential regime since 1986
Capital:
Bangui
Administrative divisions:
14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic
prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture
economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui** Basse-Kotto,
Gribingui*, Haute-Kotto, Haute-Sangha, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo-Gribingui,
Lobaye, Mbomou, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham,
Ouham-Pende, Sangha*, Vakaga
Independence:
13 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
National Day, 1 December (1958) (proclamation of the republic)
Constitution:
21 November 1986
Legal system:
based on French law
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Felix (Ange) PATASSE (since 22 October 1993) election last
held 19 September 1993; PATASSE received 52.45% of the votes and Abel
GOUMBA received 45.62%; next election schelduled for 1998
head of government:
Prime Minister Dr. Jean-Luc MANDABA (since 25 October 1993)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale):
elections last held 19 September 1993; results - percentage vote by
party NA; seats - (85 total) MLPC 33, RDC 14, PLD 7, ADP 6, PSD 3,
others 22
note:
the National Assembly is advised by the Economic and Regional Council
(Conseil Economique et Regional); when they sit together they are
called the Congress (Congres)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People (MLPC), the
party of the new president, Ange Felix PATASSE; Central African
Democratic Party (RDC), Laurent GOMINA-PAMPALI; Council of Moderates
Coalition includes; Union of the People for Economic and Social
Development (UPDS), Katossy SIMANI; Liberal Republican Party (PARELI),
Augustin M'BOE; Central African Socialist Movement (MSCA), Michel
BENGUE; Concerted Democratic Forces (CFD), a coalition of 13 parties,
including; Alliance for Democracy and Progress (ADP), Francois PEHOUA;
Central African Republican party (PRC), Ruth ROLLAND; Social
Democratic Party (PSD), Enoch DERANT-LAKOUE; Civic Forum (FC), Gen.
Timothee MALENDOMA; Liberal Democratic Party (PLD), Nestor
KOMBOT-NAGUEMON; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African
People (MLPC), Felix (Ange) PATASSE
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IBRD,
ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS,
NAM, OAU, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Henri KOBA
chancery:
1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 483–7800 or 7801
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Robert E. GRIBBIN
embassy:
Avenue David Dacko, Bangui
mailing address:
B. P. 924, Bangui
telephone:
[236] 61–02-00, 61–25-78, 61–43-33, 61–02-10
FAX:
[236] 61–44-94
Flag:
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
@Central African Republic, Economy
Overview:
Subsistence agriculture, including forestry, remains the backbone of
the CAR economy, with more than 70% of the population living in the
countryside. In 1990 the agricultural sector generated about 42% of
