TheWeekInCongress.com

Central African Republic Flag

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule was established in 1993 and lasted for one decade. In March 2003 a military coup led by General Francois BOZIZE deposed the civilian government of President Ange-Felix PATASSE and has since established a transitional government. Though the government has the tacit support of civil society groups and the main parties, this is likely to weaken in the run-up to municipal, legislative, and presidential elections scheduled for December 2004 or January 2005. The government still does not fully control the countryside, where pockets of lawlessness persist.

LOCATION

Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo.

POPULATION

3,742,482
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2004 est.). Indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%
note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority

NATURAL RESOURCES

Diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower

NATURAL CHALLENGES

Hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common.

Tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished the country's reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation

ECONOMICS

Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates half of GDP. Timber has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry for 54%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. Factional fighting between the government and its opponents remains a drag on economic revitalization, with GDP likely to contract in 2004. Distribution of income is extraordinarily unequal. Grants from France and the international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs.

INDUSTRY

Diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles

Debt - external:   
$881.4 million (2000 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:      
ODA $73 million; note - traditional budget subsidies from France (2000 est.)

Internet hosts:     
6 (2002)

Internet users:     
5,000 (2002)

CONFLICTS

Internal political instabilities with fighting and violence overlap into Chad and CAR, leaving refugees and rebel groups in both countries; Sudan has pledged to work with CAR to stem violent skirmishes over water and grazing rights among related pastoral populations along the border. refugees (country of origin): 36,479 (Sudan), 1,864 (Chad), 6,484 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) IDPs: 200,000 (unrest following coup in 2003) (2004). ## All Rights Reserved. TheWeekInCongress.com

Images and data; US CIA (Dec. 2004)