History of Central African Republic

Dar al Kuti, 1830–1912 Draft, not yet reviewed

Dar al Kuti was an Islamic state in the center and northwest of the present Central African Republic which existed from around 1830 until 17 December 1912. Djougoultoum was appointed by Wadai as governor of Dar al-Kuti, which enjoyed a high degree of independence. On 28 August 1897, Sanussi agreed to the establishment of a French protectorate over Dar al-Kuti through a treaty of trade and alliance signed by Mohammed el-Sanussi and Émile Gentil. Kamun continued resisting French forces until 17 December 1912, when Ouanda Djallé fell to Captain Souclier and Kamun went into exile in Sudan.

Seat of power: Ndélé

Ubangi-Shari, 1889–1958 Draft, not yet reviewed

Ubangi-Shari was a French colony in central Africa, a part of French Equatorial Africa. It was established on 29 December 1903 from the Upper Ubangi and Upper Shari territories of the French Congo, was renamed the Central African Republic on 1 December 1958, and gained independence on 13 August 1960. French activity in the area began in 1889 with the establishment of the outpost Bangi at the head of navigation on the Ubangi. During World War II, it remained loyal to Vichy France from 16 June to 29 August 1940, before being taken by the Free French.

Seat of power: Bangui

Central African Empire, 1976–1979 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Central African Empire was an African monarchical state that was established on 4 December 1976 when the then-President of the Central African Republic, Jean-Bédel Bokassa, declared himself Emperor of Central Africa. His regalia, lavish coronation ceremony, and regime were largely inspired by Napoleon. The coronation ceremony was estimated to cost his country roughly US$20,000,000, one-third of the country's budget and all of France's aid for that year. The empire fell less than three years later when French and Central African forces overthrew Bokassa and re-established the Central African Republic on 21 September 1979.

Seat of power: Bangui

Rulers

• Jean-Bedel Bokassa, Head of state, 1976–1979

Central African Republic, 1979 to today Draft, not yet reviewed

The Central African Republic is a landlocked country in Central Africa. The borders were established by France, which began annexing portions to the French Congo in the late 19th century and in 1903 established the separate colony of Ubangi-Shari. The Central African Bush War began in 2004 and, despite a peace treaty in 2007 and another in 2011, civil war resumed in 2012. In November 2012, Séléka, a coalition of rebel groups, took over towns in the northern and central regions of the country, and the rebels seized the capital in March 2013.

Seat of power: Bangui

Rulers

• David Dacko, President of the Central African Republic, 1979–1981
• André Kolingba, President of the Central African Republic, 1981–1993
• Ange-Félix Patassé, President of the Central African Republic, 1993–2003
• François Bozizé, President of the Central African Republic, 2003–2013
• Michel Djotodia, President of the Central African Republic, 2013–2014
• Catherine Samba-Panza, President of the Central African Republic, 2014–2016
• Alexandre-Ferdinand Nguendet, President of the Central African Republic, 2014–2014
• Faustin-Archange Touadéra, President of the Central African Republic, 2016 to today