List of heads of state of the Central African Republic facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President of theCentral African Republic |
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![]() Presidential standard
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Residence | Renaissance Palace, Bangui |
Seat | Bangui |
Term length | Seven years, renewable |
Constituting instrument | Constitution of the Central African Republic |
Inaugural holder | David Dacko |
Formation | 12 December 1960 21 September 1979 (office reestablished) |
Salary | EUR €3,049 per month |
This article tells you about the heads of state of the Central African Republic. A head of state is the main leader of a country. The Central African Republic became independent from France on August 13, 1960. Since then, seven people have been the head of state. This list includes those who were officially sworn in as President, and also those who were the de facto (meaning "in fact" or "in reality") leaders.
Jean-Bédel Bokassa was a de facto leader. He also ruled as an emperor from 1976 to 1979. Other leaders like David Dacko, André Kolingba, Ange-Félix Patassé, and François Bozizé were elected at some point. Kolingba is the only former head of state who chose to step down peacefully after an election in 1993.
The current president of the Central African Republic is Faustin-Archange Touadéra. He has been president since March 30, 2016.
Contents
What Happens if a President Leaves Office?
Before the country adopted its 2023 constitution, if the president's position became empty, the leader of the National Assembly would take over. This was written in the country's constitution.
How Long Does a President Serve?
Before the 2023 constitution, a president could only serve two terms. However, no president actually reached this limit. The 2023 constitution changed this. It removed the term limits and made the presidential term longer, from five years to seven years.
Leaders of the Central African Republic
Here is a list of the people who have led the Central African Republic.
- Political parties
Movement for the Social Evolution of Black Africa (MESAN) Central African Democratic Union (UDC) Central African Democratic Rally (RDC) Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People (MLPC) Rally for the Republic (RPR) United Hearts Movement (MCU)
- Other affiliations
Military Independent
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Elected | Time in Office | Political Party | Notes | |||
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Started | Ended | Total Time | |||||||
Central African Republic (1960–1976) | |||||||||
— | ![]() |
David Dacko (1930–2003) President of the Provisional Government |
— | 14 August 1960 | 12 December 1960 | 5 years, 140 days | MESAN | Dacko was the head of the government before the country became fully independent. | |
1 | David Dacko (1930–2003) President |
1964 | 12 December 1960 | 1 January 1966 | |||||
2 | ![]() |
Jean-Bédel Bokassa (1921–1996) President |
— | 1 January 1966 | 4 December 1976 | 10 years, 338 days | Military | Bokassa took power from Dacko in a sudden takeover called a coup. He changed his name to Salah Eddine Ahmed Bokassa for a short time. | |
MESAN | |||||||||
Central African Empire (1976–1979) | |||||||||
1 | ![]() |
Bokassa I (1921–1996) Emperor |
— | 4 December 1976 | 21 September 1979 | 2 years, 291 days | MESAN | Bokassa spent a lot of money on his special crowning ceremony to become emperor. | |
Central African Republic (1979–present) | |||||||||
3 | ![]() |
David Dacko (1930–2003) President |
1981 | 21 September 1979 | 1 September 1981 | 1 year, 345 days | MESAN | This was Dacko's second time as president. He created a new political party called the UDC. | |
UDC | |||||||||
— | ![]() |
André Kolingba (1936–2010) Chairman of the Military Committee of National Recovery |
— | 1 September 1981 | 21 September 1985 | 12 years, 51 days | Military | Kolingba took power from Dacko in a coup. There was an attempt to overthrow Kolingba in 1982. | |
— | André Kolingba (1936–2010) President and head of state |
21 September 1985 | 21 November 1986 | Kolingba started a new political party called the RDC. | |||||
RDC | |||||||||
4 | André Kolingba (1936–2010) President |
1986 | 21 November 1986 | 22 October 1993 | |||||
5 | ![]() |
Ange-Félix Patassé (1937–2011) President |
1993 1999 |
22 October 1993 | 15 March 2003 | 9 years, 144 days | MLPC | There was an attempt to overthrow Patassé in 2001. | |
6 | ![]() |
François Bozizé (born 1946) President |
2005 2011 |
15 March 2003 | 24 March 2013 | 10 years, 9 days | Military | Bozizé took power from Patassé in a coup. He then appointed Abel Goumba as prime minister. | |
Independent | |||||||||
7 | ![]() |
Michel Djotodia (born 1949) President |
— | 24 March 2013 | 18 August 2013 | 292 days | Military | Djotodia was a leader of a rebel group during a civil war. | |
— | Michel Djotodia (born 1949) Head of State of the Transition |
18 August 2013 | 10 January 2014 | ||||||
— | ![]() |
Alexandre-Ferdinand Nguendet (born 1972) Acting Head of State of the Transition |
— | 10 January 2014 | 23 January 2014 | 13 days | RPR | Nguendet became acting leader after Djotodia resigned because of ongoing conflict. | |
— | ![]() |
Catherine Samba-Panza (born 1954) Head of State of the Transition |
— | 23 January 2014 | 30 March 2016 | 2 years, 67 days | Independent | Samba-Panza was the first woman to be the head of state of the Central African Republic. | |
8 | ![]() |
Faustin-Archange Touadéra (born 1957) President |
2015–16 2020–21 |
30 March 2016 | Incumbent | 9 years, 125 days | Independent | Touadéra was the prime minister before becoming president. | |
MCU |
Timeline of Leaders

Most Recent Election
2020–21 Central African general election
Related Topics
- Politics of the Central African Republic
- History of the Central African Republic
- Emperor of Central Africa
- List of heads of government of the Central African Republic
- Vice President of the Central African Republic
- List of colonial governors of Ubangi-Shari
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Presidentes de la República Centroafricana para niños