National Day of the Central African Republic.
TODAY is the National Day of the Central African Republic (CAR). The CAR is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It borders Chad in the north, Sudan in the east, the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the south, and Cameroon...

Looking for more friends: having stayed in the French orbit since independence in 1960, the Central African Republic now wants to fly the roost, for greener pastures. (Around Africa: CAR).
Since colonial times, African countries have been divided on the lines of French, English and Portuguese speaking countries. But a first ever visit to London by the prime minister of French-speaking Central African Republic, Martin Ziguele, has proved that African countries no longer feel comfortable in the strait jacket...

There may be trouble ahead: the government of president Patasse is in danger. But France won't help its former colony and ally. It has even withdrawn its troops stationed there. (Around Africa: Central African Republic).
International attention may currently be focused on Cote d'Ivoire, but one story bound to unfold this year is the increasing likelihood of more infighting in the Central African Republic (CAR). The position of the democratically elected president, Ange-Felix Patasse (first elected in September 1993 and reelected in September 1999),...

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC.
Bangui, die capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), used to be known as la coquette (the charming tease) during the 1970s. Back then Kilometre 5, a district of Bangui, was dubbed by some the centre of the universe' -- yet during the year-long series of army mutinies which...

Arrest of ex-veep removes rival to Congo's president.
Bemba, a former rebel warlord who was defeated by Kabila in the Democratic Republic of Congo's 2006 election, was detained in Brussels on Saturday by Belgian authorities executing an International Criminal Court warrant for his arrest for war crimes allegedly committed in the Central African Republic. Condemning...

Waves of Hope: The U.S. Navy's response to the Tsunami in Northern Indonesia.
Living Diplomatically: A Life in the U.S. Foreign Service - Living Diplomatically: A Life in the U.S. Foreign Service, by William N. Dale, Hamilton Books, 71 pages Bill Dale, our colleague at American Diplomacy and good friend, notes that much has changed in the Foreign...

Presidential Rule Still Dominates African Politics; Majorities in most countries think armed forces are loyal to the president.
Byline: Magali Rheault Synopsis: Majorities of respondents in most sub-Saharan African countries Gallup surveyed say their military is primarily loyal to the president, even in nations considered "free." WASHINGTON, D.C. -- After almost two decades of institutional reforms, political regimes across sub-Saharan Africa are shifting...

The country's former president, Mr. Arge Felix Patasse and three associates have been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with hard labor for misappropriating $20bn CFA Francs (about $39m) during his tenure.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: The country's former president, Mr. Arge Felix Patasse and three associates have been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with hard labor for misappropriating $20bn CFA Francs (about $39m) during his tenure. The other associates; Mr. Lucas Sanchez, a French citizen would refund 6m CFA Francs ($11,718.00...

Cameroon: open for business; Now boasting the most diversified economy in the region, Cameroon has achieved rapid expansion and industrialisation. Political stability and an excellent business environment have also helped create an attractive investment destination. The country is now open for business.
The Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) comprises six countries with common borders (Central African Republic, Chad, Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon). Only one country, CAR, is not yet an oil producer. Forty per cent of the goods produced by the six CEMAC states...