Editing Central African Republic (section)

==Government and politics==
{{Update|section|reason=Recent developments and Russian influence|date=December 2022}}
{{main|Politics of the Central African Republic|Central African Republic Council of Ministers|List of political parties in the Central African Republic}}
[[File:Faustin-Archange Touadéra, Joe Biden, Jill Biden.jpg|thumb|Central African Republic President [[Faustin Touadera|Faustin-Archange Touadéra]] with US President [[Joe Biden]], and Dr. [[Jill Biden]], 14 December 2022]]
Politics in the Central African Republic formally take place in a framework of a [[presidential system|presidential]] [[republic]]. In this system, the [[Heads of state of the Central African Republic (and Central African Empire)|President]] is the [[head of state]], with a [[Heads of government of the Central African Republic (and Central African Empire)|Prime Minister]] as [[head of government]]. [[Executive power]] is exercised by the government. [[Legislative power]] is vested in both the government and parliament.<ref name="CIA" />

Changes in government have occurred in recent years by three methods: violence, negotiations, and elections. A new constitution was approved by voters in a referendum held on 5 December 2004. The government was rated 'Partly Free' from 1991 to 2001 and from 2004 to 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|title=FIW Score|url=http://www.freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/FIW%20All%20Scores%2C%20Countries%2C%201973-2012%20%28FINAL%29.xls|work=Freedom House|access-date=26 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424223549/http://www.freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/FIW%20All%20Scores%2C%20Countries%2C%201973-2012%20%28FINAL%29.xls|archive-date=24 April 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Executive branch ===
The president is elected by popular vote for a six-year term, and the prime minister is appointed by the president. The president also appoints and presides over the [[Central African Republic Council of Ministers|Council of Ministers]], which initiates laws and oversees government operations. However, as of 2018 the official government is not in control of large parts of the country, which are governed by rebel groups.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/rebels-in-the-central-african-republic-are-filling-the-void-of-an-absent-government/2018/03/25/3e11d960-2328-11e8-946c-9420060cb7bd_story.html|title=Rebels in the Central African Republic are filling the void of an absent government|last=Losh|first=Jack|date=26 March 2018|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|language=en|access-date=27 February 2020}}</ref>

Acting president since April 2016 is [[Faustin Archange Touadera|Faustin-Archange Touadéra]] who followed the interim government under [[Catherine Samba-Panza]], interim prime minister [[André Nzapayeké]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=1 August 2018|title=Central African Republic profile|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13150040|access-date=5 June 2020|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607054633/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13150040|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Legislative branch ===
The [[National Assembly of the Central African Republic|National Assembly]] (''Assemblée Nationale'') has 140 members, elected for a five-year term using the two-round (or [[Two-round system|run-off]]) system.<ref name="CIA" />

===Judicial branch===
As in many other former French colonies, the Central African Republic's legal system is based on [[French law]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2100.html|title=Legal System|date=22 June 2014|work=The World Factbook|access-date=23 January 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518174611/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2100.html|archive-date=18 May 2014|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency}}</ref> The Supreme Court, or ''Cour Suprême'', is made up of judges appointed by the president. There is also a Constitutional Court, and its judges are also appointed by the president.<ref name="CIA" />

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{main|Prefectures of the Central African Republic|Sub-prefectures of the Central African Republic}}
{{Prefectures of the Central African Republic Image Map|thumb|Prefectures of the Central African Republic}}
The Central African Republic is divided into 20 administrative [[prefecture]]s (''préfectures''), two of which are economic prefectures (''préfectures économiques''); the prefectures are further divided into 84 sub-prefectures (''sous-préfectures'').<ref name="OU">{{cite web |last1=Ngoulou |first1=Fridolin |title=La Centrafrique dispose désormais de 20 préfectures et de 84 sous-préfectures |url=https://oubanguimedias.com/2020/12/11/la-centrafrique-dispose-desormais-de-20-prefectures-et-de-84-sous-prefectures/ |website=oubanguimedias.com |date=11 December 2020 |publisher=Oubangui Medias |access-date=8 November 2023 |archive-date=21 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921212418/https://oubanguimedias.com/2020/12/11/la-centrafrique-dispose-desormais-de-20-prefectures-et-de-84-sous-prefectures/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[prefectures of the Central African Republic|prefectures]] are [[Bamingui-Bangoran]], [[Bangui (Prefecture)|Bangui]], [[Basse-Kotto]], [[Haute-Kotto]], [[Haut-Mbomou]], [[Kémo]], [[Lobaye]], [[Lim-Pendé]], [[Mambéré]], [[Mambéré-Kadéï]], [[Mbomou]], [[Nana-Mambéré]], [[Ombella-M'Poko]], [[Ouaka]], [[Ouham]], [[Ouham-Fafa]], [[Ouham-Pendé]], and [[Vakaga]]. The economic prefectures are [[Nana-Grébizi]] and [[Sangha-Mbaéré]].<ref name="OU"></ref>
{{Clear}}

===Foreign relations===
{{Main|Foreign relations of the Central African Republic}}
{{See also|Central African Armed Forces}}
[[File:Vladimir Putin and Faustin Touadera, 23 may 2018 (1).jpg|thumb|President [[Faustin Touadera|Faustin-Archange Touadéra]] with Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]], 23 May 2018]]

==== Foreign aid and UN involvement ====
The Central African Republic is heavily dependent on foreign [[aid]], and numerous [[Non-governmental organization|NGOs]] provide services that the government does not provide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://odihpn.org/magazine/stuck-in-the-%c2%91recovery-gap%c2%92-the-role-of-humanitarian-aid-in-the-central-african-republic/|title=Stuck in the 'recovery gap': the role of humanitarian aid in the Central African Republic|last=Jauer|first=Kersten|date=July 2009|website=Humanitarian Practice Network|language=en-GB|access-date=27 February 2020|archive-date=24 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724182251/https://odihpn.org/magazine/stuck-in-the-%c2%91recovery-gap%c2%92-the-role-of-humanitarian-aid-in-the-central-african-republic/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2019, over US$100&nbsp;million in foreign aid was spent in the country, mostly on humanitarian assistance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foreignassistance.gov/explore/country/Central-African-Republic|title=Central African Republic {{!}} ForeignAssistance.gov|website=www.foreignassistance.gov|access-date=27 February 2020|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031041743/https://www.foreignassistance.gov/explore/country/Central-African-Republic|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2006, due to ongoing violence, over 50,000 people in the country's northwest were at risk of starvation,<ref>[http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=58581 CAR: Food shortages increase as fighting intensifies in the northwest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929104529/http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=58581 |date=29 September 2007 }}.  irinnews.org, 29 March 2006</ref> but this was averted due to assistance from the [[United Nations]].<ref name="UNreport">{{Cite web | url=https://cerf.un.org/sites/default/files/resources/Central_African_Republic_110907_New%20Format.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://cerf.un.org/sites/default/files/resources/Central_African_Republic_110907_New%20Format.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live | title=Central African Republic Executive Summary 2006}}</ref> On 8 January 2008, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon declared that the Central African Republic was eligible to receive assistance from the Peacebuilding Fund.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20140201224658/http://www.unpbf.org/countries/central-african-republic/ Central African Republic Peacebuilding Fund – Overview]}}. United Nations.</ref> Three priority areas were identified: first, the reform of the security sector; second, the promotion of good governance and the rule of law; and third, the revitalization of communities affected by conflicts. On 12 June 2008, the Central African Republic requested assistance from the [[UN Peacebuilding Commission]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/pbc39.doc.htm |title=Peacebuilding Commission Places Central African Republic on Agenda; Ambassador Tells Body 'CAR Will Always Walk Side By Side With You, Welcome Your Advice' |publisher=United Nations |date=2 July 2008 |access-date=27 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503183856/http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/pbc39.doc.htm |archive-date=3 May 2011 |url-status=live  }}</ref> which was set up in 2005 to help countries emerging from conflict avoid devolving back into war or chaos.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.un.org/peacebuilding/commission/mandate|title=Mandate {{!}} UNITED NATIONS PEACEBUILDING|website=www.un.org|publisher=[[United Nations]]|access-date=27 February 2020|archive-date=28 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228145902/https://www.un.org/peacebuilding/commission/mandate|url-status=live}}</ref>

In response to concerns of a potential genocide, a peacekeeping force – the International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA) – was authorized in December 2013. This African Union force of 6,000 personnel was accompanied by the French Operation Sangaris.<ref name="odi.org"/>

In 2017, the Central African Republic signed the UN [[Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |title=Chapter XXVI: Disarmament&nbsp;– No. 9 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons |publisher=United Nations Treaty Collection |date=7 July 2017 |access-date=19 August 2019 |archive-date=6 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806220546/https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Human rights ===
{{main|Human rights in the Central African Republic}}
{{further|LGBTQ rights in the Central African Republic|Polygamy in the Central African Republic}}
The 2009 Human Rights Report by the [[United States Department of State]] noted that human rights in the Central African Republic were poor and expressed concerns over numerous government abuses.<ref name="2009 Human Rights Report">[https://web.archive.org/web/20100324180829/http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2009/af/135944.htm 2009 Human Rights Report: Central African Republic] . U.S. Department of State, 11 March 2010.</ref> The [[United States State Department|U.S. State Department]] alleged that major human rights abuses such as [[Extrajudicial punishment|extrajudicial executions]] by security forces, [[torture]], beatings, and [[rape]] of suspects and prisoners occurred with impunity. It also alleged harsh and life-threatening conditions in [[prison]]s and detention centers, [[arbitrary arrest and detention|arbitrary arrest]], prolonged [[Remand (detention)|pretrial detention]] and denial of a [[Right to a fair trial|fair trial]], restrictions on freedom of movement, official [[corruption]], and restrictions on [[Labor rights|workers' rights]].<ref name="2009 Human Rights Report" />

[[File:Living on the rainforest.jpg|thumb|[[Aka people|Aka]] hunter-gatherers living in the [[Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve]]]]
The State Department report also cites widespread [[Riot|mob violence]], the prevalence of [[female genital mutilation]], discrimination against women and [[Pygmy peoples|pygmies]], [[human trafficking]], [[Unfree labour|forced labor]], and [[child labor]].<ref>[http://www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/central_african_republic.htm "Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor – Central African Republic"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303052134/http://www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/central_african_republic.htm |date=3 March 2015 }}. dol.gov.</ref> Freedom of movement is limited in the northern part of the country "because of actions by state security forces, armed bandits, and other non-state armed entities", and due to fighting between government and anti-government forces, many people have been [[Internally displaced person|internally displaced]].<ref name="state.gov">{{Cite web|title=2010 Human Rights Report: Central African Republic|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/af/154337.htm|work=US Department of State|access-date=26 January 2013|archive-date=5 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005234122/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/af/154337.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Violence against children and women in relation to accusations of [[witchcraft]] has also been cited as a serious problem in the country.<ref name="unicef.org">{{Cite web|url=http://www.unicef.org/wcaro/english/4501_5144.html|title=UNICEF WCARO – Media Centre – Central African Republic: Children, not witches|access-date=16 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020083359/http://www.unicef.org/wcaro/english/4501_5144.html|archive-date=20 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/07/19/africa.witchcraft.accusations/|title=Report: Accusations of child witchcraft on the rise in Africa|access-date=16 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827104940/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/07/19/africa.witchcraft.accusations/|archive-date=27 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=9832&LangID=E UN human rights chief says impunity major challenge in run-up to elections in Central African Republic] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827134314/http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=9832&LangID=E |date=27 August 2014 }}. ohchr.org. 19 February 2010</ref> Witchcraft is a criminal offense under the penal code.<ref name="unicef.org"/>

[[Freedom of speech]] is addressed in the country's [https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Central_African_Republic_2013?lang=en#67 constitution], but there have been incidents of government intimidation of the media.<ref name="2009 Human Rights Report"/> A report by the [[International Research & Exchanges Board]]'s media sustainability index noted that "the country minimally met objectives, with segments of the legal system and government opposed to a free media system".<ref name="2009 Human Rights Report" />

Approximately 68% of girls are married before they turn 18,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/03/08/child-brides-sold/1972905/ |title=Child brides around the world sold off like cattle |work=[[USA Today]] |date=8 March 2013 |access-date=25 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010184412/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/03/08/child-brides-sold/1972905/ |archive-date=10 October 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref> and the United Nations's [[Human Development Index]] ranked the country 188th out of 188 countries surveyed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/CAF|title=Central African Republic|work=International Human Development Indicators|access-date=3 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202121410/http://hdr.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/CAF|archive-date=2 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Bureau of International Labor Affairs]] has also mentioned it in its last edition of the ''[[List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor]]''.