List of heads of state of the Central African Republic Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids President of the Central African Republic
Presidential standard
Incumbent Faustin-Archange Touadéra since 30 March 2016
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; 64 years ago (1960-12-12) 21 September 1979; 45 years ago (1979-09-21) (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.

What Happens if a President Leaves Office?
How Long Does a President Serve?
Leaders of the Central African Republic
Timeline of Leaders
Most Recent Election
Related Topics
See also

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
No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Elected	Started	Ended	Total Time	Political Party		Notes
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	5 years, 140 days		MESAN
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.
2		Jean-Bédel Bokassa (1921–1996) President	—	1 January 1966	4 December 1976	10 years, 338 days		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.
3		David Dacko (1930–2003) President	1981	21 September 1979	1 September 1981	1 year, 345 days		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			Military	Kolingba started a new political party called the RDC.
—		André Kolingba (1936–2010) President and head of state		21 September 1985	21 November 1986			RDC
4		André Kolingba (1936–2010) President	1986	21 November 1986	22 October 1993			RDC
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.
6		François Bozizé (born 1946) President	2005 2011	15 March 2003	24 March 2013	10 years, 9 days		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	292 days		Military
—		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, 147 days		Independent	Touadéra was the prime minister before becoming president.
8		Faustin-Archange Touadéra (born 1957) President	2015–16 2020–21	30 March 2016	Incumbent	9 years, 147 days		MCU