Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

 
Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
World Factbook Title
navigation arrows
View Text Low Bandwidth Version Download Publication
Africa :: Central African Republic
page last updated on October 4, 2012
Flag of Central African Republic
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Central African Republic
Click flag or map to enlarge Opens in New Window
 
Map of Central African Republic
Click map to enlarge Opens in New Window
No Photos available for Central African Republic
 
no photos available of Central African Republic
Expand All | collapse All
Introduction ::Central African Republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule was established in 1993 and lasted for one decade. President Ange-Felix PATASSE's civilian government was plagued by unrest, and in March 2003 he was deposed in a military coup led by General Francois BOZIZE, who established a transitional government. Though the government has the tacit support of civil society groups and the main parties, a wide field of candidates contested the municipal, legislative, and presidential elections held in March and May of 2005 in which General BOZIZE was affirmed as president. BOZIZE was reelected in the 2011 elections, which were widely viewed as having gross inaccuracies and discrepancies. The government still does not fully control the countryside, where pockets of lawlessness persist. Militant group Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) continues to affect stability in the Central African Republic as well.
Back to Top
Geography ::Central African Republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7 00 N, 21 00 E
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 622,984 sq km
country comparison to the world: 45
land: 622,984 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
slightly smaller than Texas
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 5,203 km
border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, South Sudan 990 km, Sudan 175 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 km (landlocked)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none (landlocked)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m
highest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land: 3.1%
permanent crops: 0.15%
other: 96.75% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
10 sq km (2003)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
144.4 cu km (2003)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 0.03 cu km/yr (80%/16%/4%)
per capita: 7 cu m/yr (2000)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished the country's reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa
Back to Top
People ::Central African Republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
noun: Central African(s)
adjective: Central African
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%
note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5,057,208 (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0-14 years: 40.9% (male 1,039,808/ female 1,026,712)
15-64 years: 55.5% (male 1,389,492/ female 1,414,881)
65 years and over: 3.7% (male 73,983/ female 112,332) (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 19.3 years
male: 18.9 years
female: 19.7 years (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.142% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
36.13 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
14.71 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
urban population: 39% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 2.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
BANGUI (capital) 702,000 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
890 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 4
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 97.17 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 5
male: 105.04 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 89.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total population: 50.48 years
country comparison to the world: 217
male: 49.23 years
female: 51.76 years (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.57 children born/woman (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.3% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 154
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.08 physicians/1,000 population (2004)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.2 beds/1,000 population (2006)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.7% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
130,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
11,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
21.8% (2000)
country comparison to the world: 27
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.3% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 159
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 56%
male: 69.3%
female: 43.2% (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 7 years
male: 8 years
female: 5 years (2009)
Back to Top
Government ::Central African Republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
conventional long form: Central African Republic
conventional short form: none
local long form: Republique Centrafricaine
local short form: none
former: Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire
abbreviation: CAR
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: Bangui
geographic coordinates: 4 22 N, 18 35 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
13 August 1960 (from France)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Republic Day, 1 December (1958)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
ratified by popular referendum 5 December 2004; effective 27 December 2004
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
civil law system based on the French model
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age; universal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of state: President Francois BOZIZE (since 15 March 2003 coup)
head of government: Prime Minister Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (since 22 January 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 23 January 2011 (next to be held in 2016); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Francois BOZIZE elected to a second term as president; percent of vote - Francois BOZIZE (KNK) 64.4%, Ange-Felix PATASSE 21.4%, Martin ZIGUELE (MLPC) 6.8%, Emile Gros Raymond NAKOMBO (RDC) 4.6%, Jean-Jacques DEMAFOUTH (NAP) 2.8%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (105 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 23 January 2011 and 27 March 2011 (next to be held in 2016)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - KNK 62, independents 26, MLPC 2, other 15
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court (three judges appointed by the president, three by the president of the National Assembly, and three by fellow judges); Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Inferior Courts
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Jacques MBOLIEDAS]; Central African Democratic Rally or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; Civic Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Forum for Modernity or FODEM [Charles MASSI]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Londo Association or LONDO; Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD [David DACKO]; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [Martin ZIGUELE ]; National Convergence or KNK; National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE]; New Alliance for Progress or NAP [Jean-Jacques DEMAFOUTH]; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; People's Union for the Republic or UPR [Pierre Sammy MAKFOY]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE]
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Monam (combating gender-base violence)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Stanislas MOUSSA-KEMBE
chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800
FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Laurence WOHLERS
embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui
mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui
telephone: [236] 61 02 00
FAX: [236] 61 44 94
note: the embassy is currently operating with a minimal staff
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; a yellow five-pointed star to the hoist side of the blue band; banner combines the Pan-African and French flag colors; red symbolizes the blood spilled in the struggle for independence, blue represents the sky and freedom, white peace and dignity, green hope and faith, and yellow tolerance; the star represents aspiration towards a vibrant future
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
elephant
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: "Le Renaissance" (The Renaissance)
lyrics/music: Barthelemy BOGANDA/Herbert PEPPER
note: adopted 1960; Barthelemy BOGANDA, who wrote the anthem's lyrics, was the first prime minister of the autonomous French territory
Back to Top
Economy ::Central African Republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with about 60% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates more than half of GDP. Timber has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry, for 40%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. Factional fighting between the government and its opponents remains a drag on economic revitalization. Since 2009 the IMF has worked closely with the government to institute reforms that have resulted in some improvement in budget transparency, but other problems remain. The government's additional spending in the run-up to the election in 2011 worsened CAR's fiscal situation. Distribution of income is extraordinarily unequal. Grants from France and the international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs. CAR currently lacks an IMF program.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$3.688 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
$3.576 billion (2010 est.)
$3.461 billion (2009 est.)
note: data are in 2011 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$2.165 billion (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.1% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
3.3% (2010 est.)
1.7% (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$800 (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 221
$800 (2010 est.)
$800 (2009 est.)
note: data are in 2011 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 53.1%
industry: 14.5%
services: 32.4% (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.926 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 123
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
note: 23% unemployment in Bangui
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest 10%: 2.1%
highest 10%: 33% (2003)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
61.3 (1993)
country comparison to the world: 6
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
revenues: $376 million
expenditures: $401 million (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
17.4% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-1.2% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.7% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
1.5% (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.25% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 76
4.75% (31 December 2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
15% (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
15% (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$329.6 million (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
$304.4 million (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$406.6 million (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
$365.1 million (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$492.7 million (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
$381.4 million (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3% (2002)
country comparison to the world: 104
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-$234.4 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
-$178 million (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$169.2 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
$152.8 million (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Belgium 29.1%, China 16.4%, Morocco 7.6%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 7.6%, France 6.8%, Indonesia 6% (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$380.1 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
$313 million (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
South Korea 45.6%, Netherlands 8.8%, France 7.1%, Cameroon 5.1% (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$483.9 million (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
$404 million (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -
471.87 (2011)
495.28 (2010)
472.19 (2009)
447.81 (2008)
493.51 (2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
calendar year
Back to Top
Energy ::Central African Republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
160 million kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
148.8 million kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
46,000 kW (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
45.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
54.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3,175 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2,481 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
227,400 Mt (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Back to Top
Communications ::Central African Republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2,300 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 223
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.124 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 152
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
general assessment: network consists principally of microwave radio relay and low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication
domestic: limited telephone service with less than 1 fixed-line connection per 100 persons; spurred by the presence of multiple mobile-cellular service providers, cellular usage is increasing from a low base; most fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone services are concentrated in Bangui
international: country code - 236; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
government-owned network, Radiodiffusion Television Centrafricaine, provides domestic TV broadcasting; licenses for 2 private TV stations are pending; state-owned radio network is supplemented by a small number of privately-owned broadcast stations as well as a few community radio stations; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are available (2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.cf
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
20 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 221
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
22,600 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 192
Back to Top
Transportation ::Central African Republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
40 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 106
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2012)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 38
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 19
under 914 m: 6 (2012)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 24,307 km (2000)
country comparison to the world: 105
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2,800 km (the primary navigable river is the Ubangi, which joins the River Congo; it was the traditional route for the export of products because it connected with the Congo-Ocean railway at Brazzaville; because of the warfare on both sides of the River Congo from 1997, however, routes through Cameroon became preferred by importers and exporters) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 35
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga
Back to Top
Military ::Central African Republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Central African Armed Forces (Forces Armees Centrafricaines, FACA): Ground Forces (includes Military Air Service), General Directorate of Gendarmerie Inspection (DGIG), National Police (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age for selective military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 1,149,856
females age 16-49: 1,145,897 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 655,875
females age 16-49: 661,308 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
male: 54,843
female: 53,999 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.9% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 143
Back to Top
Transnational Issues ::Central African Republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
periodic skirmishes over water and grazing rights among related pastoral populations along the border with southern Sudan persist
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
refugees (country of origin): 15,300 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2010)
IDPs: 192,000 (clashes between army and rebel groups since 2005) (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
current situation: Central African Republic is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; the majority of victims are children trafficked within the country for sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, street vending, and forced agricultural, mine, market and restaurant labor; to a lesser extent, children are trafficked from the Central African Republic to Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo; rebels continue to abduct and exploit enslaved Sudanese, Congolese, Central African, and Ugandan children for use as cooks, porters, concubines, and combatants
tier rating: Tier 3 - Central African Republic does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; the government, which has limited human and physical capital, did not investigate and prosecute trafficking offenses, identify or provide protective services to trafficking victims, or take steps to raise public awareness about the dangers of human trafficking; the revised Central African penal code, enacted in January 2010, outlaws all forms of trafficking in persons, but awareness of this statute remains low (2008)
Back to Top
Expand All | collapse All
  The online Factbook is updated weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.