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handle is hein.crs/crsmthaaege0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Order Code RS22751
November 2, 2007
 CRS Report for Congress
The Central African Republic
Ted Dagne
Specialist in African Affairs
Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division
Summary
In March 2003, a rebellion led by former Army Chief of Staff Francois Bozize
ousted President Ange Patasse from power. In 2005, the Bozize government organized
presidential and legislative elections. In May 2005, Bozize defeated former Prime
Minster Martin Ziguele and his ruling party won 42 out of the 105 seats in the National
Assembly. The Central African Republic (CAR) has been impacted by the crisis in the
Darfur region of Sudan and suffers from internal rebellion. Fighting between rebel
groups and government forces has displaced more than 70,000 people in northeastern
CAR. In September 2007, the European Union approved the deployment of a 4,000 man
peacekeeping force to Chad and CAR. This report will not be updated.
Background
The Central African Republic (CAR), a landlocked country of 4.3 million people,
became independent in 1960. David Dacko became the first President under a one-party
system. On December 31, 1965, Dacko was ousted from power in a military coup led by
his cousin, Colonel Jean-Bedel Bokassa. In 1966, Bokassa dissolved the legislature and
rescinded the Constitution. In 1972, Bokassa became Life President and later named
himself Marshall of the Republic. In December 1976, Bokassa renamed the CAR the
Central African Empire and later had himself crowned emperor in a lavish ceremony
attended by thousands of guests. Human rights violations and rumors of bizarre practices
helped prepare the way for Bokassa's 1979 ouster by David Dacko in a coup backed by
French troops. Dacko, in turn, was overthrown in 1981 by General Andr6 Kolingba,
whose authoritarian regime lasted until 1993, when elections were held. This democratic
transition followed a long period of unrest, including recurrent strikes and opposition
protests, sparked in part by the country's economic stagnation. The election was won by
Ange Patass6, who had once served Bokassa as prime minister, but later became a leading
opponent of the former Emperor.
Congressional Research Service   The Library of Congress
Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress

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