Central African Republic has new transitional government leader

Last month, the political leaders of several central African nations acknowledged Michel Djotodia as the transitional head of the Central African Republic (CAR).  Although the leaders recognized Djotodia as the transitional head of the CAR, they have not recognized him as the president of the country.  Djotodia, who is the leader of the Seleka coalition, led thousands of rebel fighters in overthrowing President Francois Bozize on March 24, 2013.  The Seleka coalition apparently rebelled against President Bozize for failing to pay rebel fighters who helped him seize power in a 2003 coup that deposed former President Ange-Felix Patasse.

Since gaining independence from France in 1960, the Central African Republic has endured decades of coups and political instability.  CAR is one of the least developed countries in the world.  As a result of years of social unrest, the illegal arms trade is prevalent in CAR which a landlocked country with a population of 5,166,510.  Political instability and violence have displaced thousands of Central Africans causing them to flee to neighboring countries such as: Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sudan.

Despite vast agricultural, mineral, and water resources, CAR is an impoverished nation that has long suffered from political corruption.  The Central African Republic’s poverty and social unrest is contrasted by majestic rainforests and some of the highest densities of forest elephants and lowland gorillas in Africa.
Nations in the region of the Central African Republic and also nations abroad should remain informed about the ongoing social unrest in the Central African Republic.  The region’s political unrest could cause more humanitarian challenges.  Foreign intervention has already taken place in Mali with French troops fighting al-Qaeda linked Islamic extremists.
Facts about Central African Republic:
Population: 5,166,510 (July 2013 est.)
Area: 240,535 sq. miles (Slightly smaller than Texas)
Capital: Bangui
GDP – per capita: $800 (2012 est. in U.S. dollars)
Official Language: French
Literacy Rate: 56%
Religions: Indigenous beliefs – 35%, Protestant – 25%, Roman Catholic – 25%, Muslim – 15%
Sources: www.bbc.com, www.cia.gov, Reuters  

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