Central Africa Republic: At a Glance

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Issue 12

The area was inhabited by the hunter-gatherer History The area was inhabited by the hunter-gatherer "pygmies" (Babinga) about 8000 years ago. Approximately 2500 years ago settlers cleared bush (thus creating today's grasslands) and established an agricultural society. About 1500 years later Nilo-Saharan language speakers entered from the east and people from the Niger-Congo opened up the forest. These groups introduced iron working. By the 16th Century a number of kingdoms flourished and both trans-saharan and transatlantic slave traders were operating - a practice that saw a number of areas depopulated by the 18th Century. In 1880 the French annexed the country as the colony of Ubangi-Chari. They instituted corvée (forced labour) to exploit the country's mineral, wild rubber and timber wealth. In 1910 the dependency became part of French Equatorial Africa and the economy was opened to locals. By then the population had been halved as a result of malnutrition and disease. During 1928 and 1930 there were violent protests by indigenous inhabitants. Between 1946 and 1958 the territory had its own legislature and was represented in the French National Assembly. In 1958 it gained autonomy as the Central African Republic but France continued to be involved politically, economically and militarily. Full independence was granted in 1960, but dependence on France continued. In 1966 Bokassa seized power and established one of the most sordid and brutal regimes in Africa. His corrupt, dictatorial, wasteful and macabre rule nearly destroyed the country. In 1979 he was overthrown by a French-led coup. General Kolingba subsequently deposed its leader, Dacko, in 1981 and multiparty elections were held in 1982. These were annulled by the Supreme Court and Patassé elected President in new elections in 1983. In 1986 a single-party republic was approved by referendum but in 1992 the constitution was revised to allow for a multiparty system. In 1996 the army mutinied three times. Peace was restored in 1997 and a UN peace keeping mission operated until this year. Patassé remains President. People and Culture The population is made up largely of Negroid peoples. The main ethnic groups are the Baya, Banda, Sara, Mandjia, Mboum and the M'Baka. About half the people have traditionally lived in scattered small units. Their occupation continues to be subsistence cultivation and herding although many now live in concentrations along the main routes, having been forcibly relocated from the bush by Bokassa. About 45% of people are under 15 years and life expectancy is 45. Over half of the 6500 European residents are French. Women often wear a wraparound skirt with a loose top whilst men sport pyjama-like outfits for informal occasions. Some cloths are local woodblock prints, batiks or tie-dyes. In traditional homes food is eaten with the right hand. Many dishes are made with okra (gombo) and a staple such as rice, fermented cassava or bananas. Palm wine and banana wine are sold in jugs. Beer and ginger beer are popular but tap water is often contaminated. Alcoholism is a big problem. Government A president and a council of ministers lead the country's executive. The president is popularly elected to a six-year term. The unicameral legislative assembly has 109 members elected for five-year terms. The two main political parties are the Central Africa Democratic Rally and the Movement for Liberation of the Central African People (MLPC). The current constitution was adopted in 1995 and the legal system is based on French law. Languages Despite the fact that Sango is widely spoken and was recognised as the national language in 1965, French is the official means of communication. Other languages, some of Sudanic and Eastern Nigritic origin, are also used. Education Schooling is compulsory but only half the children complete primary school and less than 10% enrol in secondary and technical institutions. Only about 40% of the population are functionally literate. The country's sole university has about 3500 students. Religion About 50-60% of the people follow traditional or animist beliefs and between 35% and 45% are Protestant or Catholic. About 5% are of other persuasions, principally Muslim in the north. The Land The country is roughly the size of France. Savannah covers most of the plateau, which ranges between 600m and 800m in elevation. To the north is the Fertit - groups of mountains over 900m. Here the Appalachian-type ridges and valleys of the Abourassein and the Bongo Mountains rise to about 1400m. Below, open grasslands and dry scrub reaches north to the Sahel. In the south residual rock forms, known as Kagas, occasionally protrude from the laterite-covered plains. The western massif includes the Yade Mountains, which extend into Cameroon. In the southwest dense forests undergo a perpetual rainy season. Desertification and deforestation are concerns. The Rivers The main rivers are navigable in their lower reaches and house hydroelectric installations. The myriad waterways create fertile lands along fluvial basins but only 3% of the country is suitable for crops. Climate This varies, but in general it is hot and humid in the south and drier in the north. The average annual temperature is about 26 °C but the mercury can climb to 40 °C in the north between February and May. The humidity can be oppressive particularly when the hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds blow. Tornadoes and floods are common at the onset of the rainy season, from June to September in the north and May to October in the south. Annual rainfall totals range from approximately 1900mm in the south to 200mm in the semiarid north. The best time to visit, therefore, is between November and April. Economy The CAR has the potential to be one of Africa's richest countries. It has large diamond deposits, but some two-thirds of gems are "smuggled" out of the country. A vast mineral wealth in uranium, iron, gold, zinc, copper, tin and diamonds still remains. Agriculture contributes about 50% of GDP and 85% of employment. Traditionally coffee was the most important cash crop but now cotton is nearly a quarter of agricultural earnings. Output is fairly evenly balanced between subsistence and export crops. Diamond mining aside, the main industries are lumber milling, textiles and footwear, bicycle and motorcycle assembly, the manufacture of vegetable oils, leather goods, soap, building materials and beer. However violence has destroyed many businesses in Bangui. The IMF extended financial help in 1998. Money Matters The unit of currency is the CFA (Central) franc, consisting of 100 centimes. The current exchange rate, averaging about 1250 to the British pound, is much lower for cash than for traveller's cheques. Banks in Bangui will mostly give hard currency on a credit card. Bangui and Berberati are the only places where money can be exchanged officially. Black market rates are usually good, but caution is advised. Bangui Many visitors feel the city has little of real interest and suggest that bureaucratic problems and petty theft are good reasons for bypassing it. Avoid wearing jewellery and carrying expensive items, stay off the streets at night, and avoid the seedy parts of town. Separate entry and exit permits are required for Bangui. The Boganda Museum is well organised, has compulsory, helpful guides and a good collection of musical instruments, pygmy tools and old artefacts. Exquisite malachite necklaces are to be had at the artisans' market, but they're pricey. Avoid the market at Km5 (known as 'K Cinq') - it seethes with thieves, thugs and muggers. Getting around this pleasant shady town is best done by (shared) taxi. Cruising minibuses are cheaper, and fuller. Buses run infrequently. There is a tourist campsite about 7km from town but it is notorious for thieves. There are interesting waterfalls at Boali, just outside town. Other worthwhile falls are at Kembe about 60km past the turning to Mobaye, and at Toutoubou near the Cameroon border. Visas Visas are required by all except those from France and French speaking countries. There is no CAR consular office in London, but visas can be obtained at the French Embassy. Quite often telexed clearance from Bangui is required and this can take up to two months. Wildlife The CAR is home to virtually every kind of animal found in tropical Africa but population densities of some species have been significantly reduced by poaching, particularly the plundering that occurred under Bokassa's regime. They find sanctuary in three national parks - Bamingui-Bangoran (northeast), St. Flores (east) and the new Dzanga-Ndoki in the far southwest. The latter contains the last remnants of the country's virgin rainforests. Dzanga-Ndoki is also renowned for its forest elephants and rare lowland gorillas. There are also savannah elephants, rhinos, the big cats, giraffe, a large variety of small and large antelope including eland and bongo. Primates include the white-bearded De Brazzas monkey. Unfortunately the parks are not easy to get to. The roads leading there may be in poor condition and there is no accommodation. The rewards, however, are great. The best way to reach the parks in the north and east is by chartered plane. Other Towns Sibut, 118km north of Bangui, is an active town with good markets, food stalls and hotels. Zinga on the Dubangui River is interesting for its wooden houses and boats. Mbaikio is the centre of the timber and coffee industries and home to many pygmies. Nearby is a village famous for its ebony wood carvers and an attractive waterfall. Travel Advice Check with your embassy, tour operator, CIA, Lonely Planet and other internet websites before visiting. Safety is a major concern. Health risks include malaria, bilharzia, AIDS and contaminated drinking water. Meningitis is currently a problem in several areas. Take tropical linen and waterproof clothing, and a good medical aid kit. You'll need bedding and supplies when visiting national parks and extra fuel if driving outside Bangui. Published in Travel Africa Edition Twelve: Summer 2000 Text is subject to Worldwide Copyright (c)

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