History of the Central African Republic
Prehistory and Early History
On the territory of present-day Central African Republic traces of human habitation since the Paleolithic period can be detected. The oldest of the now settled there indigenous societies are probably the Gbaya and Mandjida. They were segmentally organized and had no centralized forms of government cohabitation emerged. Beginning of the 19th century migrated from the northeast Banda companies in the area a. In the Azande in the southeast was formed in 18-19. Century a more stratified social order out with a Oberhäuptlingstum. Parts of the Northeast fell from 1893 to 1900 under the rule of the Afro- Arab warlord Rabih b. Fadlallah.
Colonial
Already in 1887 declared the French colonial officials Pierre de Brazza Savorgnan the territory of the French sphere of influence. 1889 arose in today's capital Bangui, the first military post. From here began in 1890 a military occupation of the country, the 1900 French under the name Oubangi - Chari military territory and in 1906 united with the north subsequent Chad military territory under one administration. On January 25, 1910, the territory for independent colony within French Equatorial Africa (AEF ) has been. Parts in the west of the country with the places Nola, Mbaiki, Berbérati, Carnot and Bouar were connected to the German colony of German Cameroon through the Congo - Morocco Agreement November 4, 1911 under the name Neukamerun and fell only with the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 in French Equatorial Africa back.
Since 1946, the colony was represented in the French National Assembly. Deputy was Barthelemy Boganda (1910-1959), the party Mouvement pour l' évolution sociale de l' Afrique noire ( MESAN ) founded in 1949. The MESAN won on March 31, 1957 at elections to the state parliament, all seats. On December 1, 1958 Central Africa received the internal autonomy as part of the French colonies. Boganda became Prime Minister on 8 December 1958.
Independence
Under the name " Central African Republic ", the country was released on August 13, 1960 by France to independence. David Dacko became the first president. Opposition groups, who were dissatisfied with the pro-French Dackos course, left in June 1960, the movement and founded the Mouvement pour l' Afrique Centrale de l' l'Evolution Démocratique ( MEDAC ). Back in December of the same year MEDAC was banned and its leaders arrested. The MESAN was gradually expanded to the highest court from 1962 to 1964 within the state, which had among other things, mandatory membership for all citizens. The location of the state was marked by increasing repression of opposition forces inside and close cooperation with the former colonial power, France.
On January 1, 1966, coup army chief Jean- Bédel Bokassa ( 1921-1996 ), a nephew Bogandas, to power. The toppled President Dacko was placed under house arrest. Bokassa secured his power through nationwide terror, torture and elimination of all opposition. French troops were also doing it to one side. 1972 Bokassa was appointed president for life. With the coronation of Emperor Bokassa, on 4 December 1976, the country became a monarchy (→ Central African Empire ).
After violent student and student unrest in January 1979 many young people and the opposition were with military aid from Zaire arrested, tortured and executed, with Bokassa is accused of direct participation. The former President Dacko took on 21 September 1979, the absence of the emperor, who was on a visit to Libya, to a coup. Emperor Bokassa was deposed, introduced the Republic again.
In January 1981, Dacko won the parliamentary elections. However, he was urged on 1 September 1981 in a coup by General André Kolingba, with the consent of France from office. On October 23, 1986 Ex - Emperor Bokassa returned. He was arrested and sentenced to death. The judgment was in 1988 converted into forced labor. Bokassa died on November 3, 1996 in Bangui.
On 4 July 1991 political parties were permitted again under foreign pressure. Kolingba on 1 September 1993 issued a general amnesty. Even ex-Emperor Bokassa was released. On September 19, 1993, Ange-Félix Patassé new president. From 1996 to 1997 took place military revolts and coup attempts against the government Patassé. 1999, there were serious clashes between opposition and government supporters. The re-election of President Patassé took place on 22 October.
On 15 February 2000, the mandate of the UN peacekeeping forces ended after about two years of use. President Patassé was overthrown on 15 March 2003 by François Bozizé. The 2005 presidential election won Bozizé in the second ballot on 24 May 2005 with 64.6 % of votes. The scheduled for April 25, 2010 presidential and parliamentary elections were canceled by parliament. President Bozizé remained in office. His mandate was regularly until 11 June 2010.
On March 24, 2013 were reported heavy fighting in the capital, Bangui, the rebel troops of SELEKA had brought the city and the presidential palace under their control. Bozizé then fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The leader of the Islamist SELEKA, Michel Djotodia, then appointed himself president. On January 10, 2014 Djotodia resigned.