“It’s hard to imagine this in the 21st century”
Life in the Central African Republic through the eyes of Russians
Anastasia Gnedinskaya
Central African Republic, where a few days ago they shot Russian journalists Orhan Dzhemal, Alexander Rastorguev and Kirill Radchenko, is considered one of the poorest and most dangerous countries in the world. Even in a relatively calm capital, Europeans try not to navigate the streets on foot and alone. Here, in exchange offices and cafes, there are signs “No weapons allowed,” and a camera can become a serious obstacle to establishing friendships with the locals. Russian-speaking residents of the Central African Republic, a helicopter pilot and a traveler told RIA Novosti in detail about the situation in the African country.
“Europeans do not travel unaccompanied”
Elena Smolnaya (name and surname changed at her request) has been living in the Central African Republic for several months. She came here as part of one of the humanitarian missions and works as a doctor. The country's capital, Bangui, is relatively safe, she assures. But he clarifies: “There is one block where it is better for a foreigner not to enter. It's called "The Fifth Kilometer". Representatives of one militant group live there, so “blue helmets” are constantly present in the quarter.
UN soldiers during Pope Francis' visit to the central mosque of the Muslim enclave PK5. Bangui, Central African Republic
© AP Photo/Jerome Delay
True, shots had not been heard in this ghetto for a long time. And a white person won’t just walk in there. In the CAR, says Elena, Europeans try not to travel alone on foot. “If foreigners come here, it is not for the purpose of tourism, but for work. They are met at the airport by representatives of the company or organization and taken to the hotel. Then they accompany you to work,” she says.
Smolnaya itself lives according to the same scheme. “I can walk alone during the day, and I’ve never experienced any particular discomfort. Unless at the market they shout something offensive after you or they whistle.”
In many humanitarian missions operating in countries where there is a terrorist threat, employees fill out what is called proof of life. These are answers to questions that only one person can know. If he is captured, the negotiator will understand from his answers whether he is alive or killed. But Elena claims that she didn’t fill out anything like that: “It’s not as dangerous here as, for example, in South Sudan, where a similar rule applies to employees of humanitarian missions.”
At 23:00 it begins in the capital curfew. “The military stops everyone on the street and checks where they are going and why at night. Here, in principle, people try not to travel late at night. Therefore, it is very strange that journalists went somewhere at night,” Elena is surprised.
“No one will ever attack you in the center of the capital, but it’s still better to travel by car with a local driver,” another Russian in Bangui, Sergei, enters the conversation. — I can’t say how much such a service costs, since I’ve been here for a long time, using my car. I’m guessing no more than $200 a month.”
In the province, according to Sergei, robberies are not uncommon. “They can stop a car right on the road and point a gun at the driver’s face. But this does not happen on highways, but on peripheral roads in wooded areas. It happens that Europeans are taken hostage. Then they demand a ransom or the release of previously arrested bandits.”
“I wouldn’t risk going into the jungle at night.”
Mi-8 pilot Alexander (he asked not to indicate his last name) worked in the Central African Republic for two missions of three and four months. He ensured the movement of the UN mission and flew across the length and breadth of the country. And he cannot call the Central African Republic one of the most dangerous places on the African continent.
“I have something to compare with. For example, in Sudan, where I also worked, bandits could stop the car right on the road, throw the driver out of the passenger compartment and drive away,” says RIA Novosti’s interlocutor. “Two of my colleagues were captured there and held for almost four months, until UN representatives managed to rescue them. In Sudan, all helipads were fenced off. Otherwise, local residents would simply dismantle the car piece by piece. In the CAR we limited ourselves to armed guards around the landing site. But the most they did was drive away curious children and teenagers with sticks.”
For a resident of Tyumen, it was with the CAR that his acquaintance with Africa began.
“Naturally, upon arrival we were immediately warned that the country was in a permanent conflict, that on the street in evening time You can’t go out for 24 hours; it’s not advisable to communicate with locals. In fact, in the evening I calmly walked alone from our villa to the gym, and the locals treated us to fruit.”
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According to Alexander, the worst thing that can happen to an unwary European on the streets of Bangui is robbery. “It’s better not to walk with an open bag or an expensive phone; the car doors should always be kept closed, especially at stops. Almost on the go, they can climb into the cabin and pull out a backpack or equipment.”
He himself was never robbed, but his colleagues had their phones and wallets stolen. “As they explained to us, it is not even citizens of the republic who make a living in theft, but refugees from Chad, of whom there are a lot in Bangui.”
However, these descriptions apply more to the capital. In the provinces the situation is more tense. “If there are a lot of military personnel in Bangui, there are fortified posts at every major intersection, then on the periphery security is ensured only by a contingent of UN bases. I admit, I would not risk going into the jungle by car in the dark. After all, in this area this moment one of the gangster groups. Locals know about it, strangers don’t.”
Alexander recalls how, during one of the flights, his colleagues agreed with the locals to go fishing. But in the morning, the guide said that it was better not to go into the jungle for now, since representatives of a local Muslim terrorist group had come to the area. “They asked what might happen if they decided to go fishing. “Do you need problems? “No to me,” answered the aborigine.”
During the months of work in the CAR, the pilot several times encountered the consequences of war between factions.
“One day we flew to a village that had been burned to the ground. It was a terrorist act by one of the gangs. People from this village lived in a tent camp next to the UN base. It’s hard to imagine that this is possible in the 21st century.”
If we ignore all these nuances, the Central African Republic is a country with its own flavor.
The pilot Alexander really remembered the local markets. True, these memories are shocking. “They sell dried monkeys there, from which the locals make soup. Their carcasses look like dead babies. Very unpleasant. In general, in the capital's stores you can find all European products: blue cheeses and expensive sausages. All this is sold based on Europeans, of whom there are quite a lot in the country. Food prices, by the way, are three times higher than in Russia. And housing costs astronomical amounts of money. Naturally, for locals there is one price everywhere, for whites it is different.”
“They tried to rob me three times in five minutes.”
Extreme traveler Vadim, author of the Dusk Rider blog, visited the Central African Republic in March 2018. Immediately upon arrival, he and his comrades went to a meeting with the Russian consul, including to discuss the possibility of security. The fact is that finding an escort in the Central African Republic is problematic.
“There are no companies in the country that provide bodyguard services. Only the army or police have legal weapons. But you won’t go up to the first military man you come across and offer to guard you? - explains Vadim. “In the end, we moved on our own.”
Vadim traveled to the CAR in the company of four other friends and one girl; they walked around the city only in a large group. Perhaps this is what helped them avoid serious trouble.
“One day my friend and girlfriend went for a walk together. And almost immediately the locals attacked them, shouting “Take the camera away!” In addition, they tried to rob them three times in five minutes. They brazenly went into their bags and pockets, without hiding. In general, robbing a foreigner is a local sport. Even the consul warned us about this. The easiest way is to drop clonidine into a glass of beer.”
FOR REFERENCE:
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The former French colony, which gained independence in 1960, has been in a state of armed conflict for decades. In 2012, Islamist groups united to overthrow Christian President Francois Bozizé. The unstable alliance was called Seleka (meaning “coalition” in the Sango language).
In the early years of Seleka's existence, Michel Djotodia was considered its leader. In 2013, he proclaimed himself president, but soon lost control over his more radical associates. After the final collapse of the coalition, Djotodia was forced to flee the CAR.
And in the republic, a war broke out with renewed vigor between Islamist militants and Christian self-defense forces. In addition, they began to divide natural resources. Groups also started a fierce fight " Popular Front for the revival of the Central African Republic" and "Union for Peace in Central Africa". The Russian journalists were most likely attacked by one of them.
In February 2016, democratic elections were held in the republic. However, they did not bring reconciliation to the country. During his two and a half years in office, President Faustin-Archange Touadera has not changed the situation. Hundreds of thousands of refugees who fled the country during the conflict have not returned home. Various criminal groups, predominantly Islamist, continue to control the territory. The army is in decline. The legitimate authorities rely mainly on the contingent of UN peacekeepers.
Everyone loves adventure, but the modern traveler will have to shell out a pretty penny to get the most out of it. positive feelings from a foreign country. If you do not intend to spend incredible amounts of money on European and American prices, then the ideal option is to go to the Central African Republic. Here you will not find prohibitively expensive hotels and restaurants, but the indescribable sensations from the local flavor will last a lifetime.
What you need to know about CAR? The history of the Central African Republic begins in 1894 as a French colony. An expedition led by Adrian Dolisi arrived in this territory. The journey was carried out along the Ubangi River, which is why the colony got its name - Ubangi-Shari. Constant uprisings of the local population brought great losses to the French colonists. From the beginning of 1907 to 1931, 4 revolts were suppressed in the colony, which led to the death of almost half of the indigenous population.
The colonialists realized that trying to pacify the locals was not so easy, so France chose the Minister of Uganda-Shari, who would represent the interests of Africans in the French parliament. For about 30 years he fought for the country's independence, which it received on August 13, 1960. Unfortunately, Barthelemy Boganda himself did not live to see this day; he died in a plane crash.
After the departure of the French colonists, the first president appeared in the modern Central African Republic - David Dako. The largest city in the country, Bangui, becomes the capital. But the troubles didn't end there. Regular fighting for power until 2014, when self-proclaimed President Michel Jatida resigned. Through elections and voting in the same year, Faustin-Archange Touadera comes to power, bringing long-awaited calm to the CAR.
Now the country is just getting up from its knees, but its doors are already open to tourists from all over the world. The cost of food and goods is so low that anyone can afford to travel to the Central African Republic.
Popular tours
Since 60% of the country's total population professes local beliefs, tourists are attracted by the atmosphere of the CAR. Here you have the opportunity to get acquainted with a culture that is distinguished by its originality: shamanic rituals, treatment by healers and fortune telling using the horns of roe deer and the teeth of wild animals. Although tourism destinations in the CAR are underdeveloped, several first-class tours are already available.
Ledger Plaza Bangui
This is a real paradise, when entering it it is difficult to imagine that you are in poor Africa. The main feature of Ledger Plaza Bangui is that all the staff are local residents who will be happy to serve you or tell you about life in the Central African Republic. Also, any worker can serve as a translator from English into local languages, which is a godsend during excursions.
The hotel where tourists stay is called Ledger Plaza Bangui. The interior is made in a colonial style, which was given to Africans by the French. All your photos can be posted on social networks via Wi-Fi, which operates on the territory of the complex. Here you don’t have to think about what to take with you; everything you need will be provided to you.
In the restaurant at the hotel, you can order both European delicacies and national cuisine, striking with an incredible and unusual taste palette for tourists. In the evening, the whole family relaxes in a cafe or with friends in a bar. In the morning, after taking a shower, it is useful to go to Gym, if you are used to starting the day with a short run. And if the weather permits, then it’s time to take a swim in the pool, which offers a first-class view of the African forests.
Excursions are included in the price of the tour, but you can refuse the offer of guides and explore the life of the local population on your own. You will simply be given a booklet with local attractions that you can enjoy to your heart's content.
THE NOTE! DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE LOCAL RESIDENTS LIVE VERY POORLY, THEY ARE WELCOME TO TOURISTS, SINCE THEY BRING TO THE COUNTRY THE MONEY NEEDED BY THE QUEENS.
Bangui
This is a more budget option. The hotel where visitors will relax is called Bangui. The hotel is not as fancy as the Ledger Plaza Bangui, but still has a swimming pool, inexpensive restaurants and cafes where you can while away your time and enjoy first-class shopping.
The tour itself is more adapted to the local flavor. The bariks are covered with roofs made of bamboo and reeds, finished with granite masonry. If you come to the country for the sake of relaxation, then the relaxing mode of the Bangui tour is suitable for you; if you are looking for some flavor, you will be offered dozens of excursions and walks to local attractions.
All staff speak English and Sango. The tour price includes parking, transport rental, Wi-Fi, TV, transfer, butler, mobile connection and a safe for storing personal belongings and documents. On Bangui you will meet both a European tourist and a local rich man who mines precious metals and stones, which the Central African Republic is so rich in. The hotel has small area and includes only 50 rooms, which affects its low cost.
Hotel de Ville
This, of course, is not a resort, but a small hotel built by locals for tourists. Despite the name, in addition to relaxation, the hotel provides good entertainment program and many excursions to places known only to the natives. Located in the city of Berberatti, whose population is 95% indigenous Africans.
The Hotel de Ville offers vacationers local dishes with European serving. No guidebook will tell you about this “local tour”, since its prices are affordable even for natives. Although the Hotel de Ville has a French name, it is designed in a colonial style, with massive columns and a wide porch.
The visitor to the Hotel de Ville will receive Internet, TV and delicious cuisine also a green garden for relaxation and local flavor. You have the chance to walk around Berberatti or take a tour with a local guide. If you are coming to the CAR for the African atmosphere, then best tour Can't think of a place to relax. Locals say that Berberatti and Bangui are twin cities: the same cuisine, weather, areas, holidays, there is something to try and see in the surrounding area. However, tourists still choose Bangui, since planes fly from other countries exclusively to the capital of the Central African Republic.
Sights of the Central African Republic
If Africa has captured your heart with its primitiveness, then best place There is simply no way for the CAR to study its culture. But it’s unlikely that luxury hotels and gourmet dishes will allow you to immerse yourself in African life. Local attractions are ideal for this. There are not very many of these in the CAR, as well as tours, but each of them has its own history.
Buali Falls
Buali is a complex of waterfalls that conveys the true spirit of the African shroud. Its height reaches 50 meters, but the length of the complex exceeds 250. Buali waterfalls are located on the Mbari River, which is a 40-minute drive from the city of Bangui. One of the first hydroelectric power stations in Africa was built on the river, which provides electricity to nearby areas of the country.
In the early 2000s, China helped Africans build a dam to regulate the flow of water, as during the rainy seasons the river overflows heavily, flooding the homes of local residents. If tourists come to see the waterfalls, the administration of the hydroelectric power station closes the dam so that they can get closer to the waterfall. A first-class tandem of natural resources and modern technologies without harming each other.
During hot seasons, only a small trickle remains from the waterfalls, and the power plant reduces electricity production by almost 3 times. At this point, the station's downtime pays for itself through foreign tourists.
M'Baiki
This is a small area in the Central African Republic, where the indigenous people, the Pygmies, still live in primitive conditions. These people live throughout the middle of Africa, but only in the Central African Republic do people get to know them and communicate with them. A translator is hired or paid to a local resident who speaks English and will help translate the Sango language. Representatives of the tribe have an average height of 120 cm, which allows them to make their way through the jungle thickets much faster. Such a height will seem very low to a Caucasian tourist, but among pygmies it is rare to find those who at least grow to 1.5 m.
It is in this area that rubber trees and ebony trees are being cut down. Furniture with such texture in our area costs mind-boggling money and is considered very rare and exclusive. Unfortunately, foreign companies buy wood from locals for small change, who, due to their poverty, agree to any price.
In addition, the complex of waterfalls of the same name is very popular on the territory of M’Baiki. Of course, the size and scope of this waterfall is much more modest than Buali.
INTERESTING FACT! LOCAL PEOPLE ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED TO MAKING FURNITURE FROM HEVEA AND EBONY TREES, AND EVEN MORE, TO SELLING IT TO TOURISTS.
Manovo-Gounda-Saint-Floris
National Park of the Central African Republic. Here you will meet rare African animals, including black rhinoceroses, forest elephants, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas and many other representatives of the animal world. Directly in the park itself, you can book a car excursion, where you can take a closer look at these vast expanses of predatory animals.
INTERESTING FACT! OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, THE NUMBER OF BLACK RHINOS HAS REDUCED FROM 800 TO SEVERAL DOZENS. THE REASON FOR THIS IS POACHING.
The park was created in 1933, and was called Ubangi-Chari, occupying as many as 13.5 thousand hectares of land. In 1935 it was renamed Matumaru, and already in 1940 the name was adapted for American and European tourists - “Saint Floris”. In 1979, Saint Floris was merged with the former hunting reserve, which allowed the park to be expanded to 277.6 thousand hectares. After the unification, the National Park received its modern name - Manovo-Gounda-Saint-Floris. The cost of the entrance ticket and excursion will be affordable for any tourist.
Dzanga-Sanga National Reserve
You can see gorillas, chimpanzees and buffalos at national reserve Dzanga-Sanga, which was founded in 1990. Its area is 6866 sq. kilometers, and almost 80% of this territory is covered with dense tropical forests, in which primates live. There are also wild buffalos and real antelopes here.
The reserve is home to hundreds of bird species that have found shelter from bloodthirsty poachers. The park is located on the Sanga River, not far from the village of Bayanga. They also do not forget that next to this reserve there is another one - Dzanga-Ndoki, which is not in great demand due to its small area.
This is almost the only place in the Central African Republic where there is active recreation. When it’s high season, the park administration will not only tell you about rare animals, but will also offer you a walk deep into the jungle with an experienced guide. He will teach you survival: how to move through the jungle, where you can step in the groves, what is food in the jungle and what is not, and will take care of your safety. In ecological cottages, where you stop before or after your walk, you buy the necessary provisions before the hike. Because of poverty in the CAR, everyone is trying to work for themselves, even the wild animals in Dzanga-Sanga.
INTERESTING FACT! DESPITE THE EFFORTS OF FIGHTERS TO COMBAT POACHING IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, ILLEGAL HUNTERS STILL MANAGE TO DAMAGE THE ECOLOGY. OVER THE PAST YEAR IN THE CAR, 26 ADULT ELEPHANTS WERE KILLED BY POACHERS, 5 OF WHICH WERE PREGNANT AND COULD PRODUCE CHILDREN.
Rest…
In the CAR, trips to shamans and healers are very popular, whose location is learned from local residents. It is worth adding that, despite all efforts, the Central African Republic can hardly be called a tourist country, and therefore, in order to avoid difficulties with accommodation, food and transport, it is more reliable to contact travel agencies. They will explain how to get to the hotel, nearby attractions, nature reserves, or find transportation.
But despite this, many travel to the CAR on their own, because here you can find hundreds of campsites in the forests and jungles. What to take with you on such a trip? Bed linen, medicines, money in local currency and a satellite phone for emergencies. The main thing is to get all the necessary vaccinations before the trip to prevent diseases, so that you don’t have to go to the shamans.
Always buy water from plastic bottles and try not to flash your money in poor areas of the state. Of course, you can’t go on such a trip with children. From the first minutes of arrival, it becomes clear where it is better to live: in your homeland or in Africa.
Despite all its shortcomings, the Central African Republic is primitive Africa. Bringing a souvenir from here is complex issue, because they simply don’t exist. The Central African Republic is a country free from asphalt, dust, smog and concrete jungle. There is a lot to do here: most of the country is wild prairie, which you can explore both with a guide and on your own, experiencing the peculiarities of the local climate. Now you know where to go on your next vacation.
On the world map Map
Another dictator has overthrown the president, so the country is uneasy. There are no tourists at all. New President hired French soldiers to train his army of village ignoramuses. Therefore, the streets are full of very confident-looking French soldiers, but without shoulder straps - these are military instructors of the new regime. At the same time, the airport is guarded by French soldiers in uniform, who were officially employed. They receive several times less than mercenaries.
Yet another dictator has ousted the president, so the country is in turmoil. There isn’t a single tourist to be seen. The new president has recruited French soldiers to train his army of illiterate villagers, which is why there are so many French soldiers without insignia confidently strutting around everywhere—they’re the new regime’s military instructors. Meanwhile, the airport is guarded by French soldiers in uniform who were hired officially. They get paid a fraction of what the mercenaries do.
Already approaching the capital, it is clear that a permanent chaos reigns in the country. The margins cannot be lined evenly.
You can already see that the country is a permanent mess as you fly in. They can't even line the fields straight.
What fields are there? Here in the countryside there is not even a concept of streets - houses among the trees stand haphazardly, connected by paths.
Never mind the fields—rural areas lack even the concept of streets. Houses are haphazardly scattered among the trees, connected only by pathways.
The French left their former colony a legacy of language and baguettes.
The former French colony inherited its colonizers’ language and baguettes.
The eggs are also in high stacks.
Eggs are also carried in tall stacks.
Car number.
A license plate.
Taxi doors are decorated with numbers that identify the vehicle, but do not match the license plate number.
Taxi doors are decorated with some sort of number that identifies the car, but differs from the number on the plates.
Taxis are for city slickers. Normal Central Africans travel 20 people in one car.
The taxis are for big city high-rollers. Normal Central Africans carpool with 20 other people.
The most interesting detail in the culture is the special way of tying firewood onto a cart. There’s still no money for a car or gas, but there’s a lot to load. It turns out like a banana.
The most interesting cultural detail is the locals’ special method of tying wood onto a cart. A lot of wood needs to be transported, but no one has the money for a car or gas. The solution is this banana-like bundle.
It is convenient to roll such a structure, holding it by one end, which is what all the villagers do when carrying firewood to the market.
The bundle can be rolled fairly easily by pushing it from one end, which is precisely what all the villagers do to get their firewood to the market.
Pygmies live here, small people. Women build their houses. For cigarettes and cookies they perform a dance in front of the rare tourist.
This area is inhabited by pygmies, an ethnic group known for their unusually short height. Their homes are built by the women. The few tourists who come here can watch them perform a dance in exchange for cigarettes and cookies.
Behind the drums is a boy from a neighboring village, not a pygmy.
The boy on the drums is from a nearby village and not a pygmy.
A learned technique.
A well-rehearsed move.
After the performance, the dancers fall to the ground, Mosombo, to the delight of the audience, pulls Ngale's balls. Everyone is delighted.
After the performance comes to an end, the dancers all fall to the ground. Mosombo tugs on Ngale’s balls to the delight of the audience. Everyone cheers.
In villages, a fire is lit for cooking right in the room. Chimneys had not yet been invented here; the smoke had to gently escape from under the thatched roof.
Villagers burn cooking fires right inside their homes. The idea of chimneys hasn’t occurred to anyone yet; smoke is supposed to waft up gently from underneath the thatched roof.
Bangui
Bangui
On the world map MapBangui is a city of contrasts.
Bangui is a city of contrasts.
City trash can.
A city trash can.
One of the central squares.
One of the central squares.
One of the main streets.
One of the central streets.
Bus stop.
Tailor's mannequins.
Pedestrian crossing signs are beautiful in their raw spontaneity.
The pedestrian crossing signs are magnificent in their primordial artlessness.
By the way, it is curious that in the supermarket whites can easily walk with their backpacks and bags, but blacks are forced to put everything in the storage room. Peanuts are sold in bottles.
The Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked state in Central Africa. It is bordered to the east by Sudan, to the south by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the southwest by the Republic of the Congo, to the west by Cameroon, and to the north by Chad.
The surface of the country is an undulating plateau with an altitude of 600 to 900 meters, separating the basins of the Congo River and Lake Chad.
State
State structure
The Central African Republic is a presidential republic. The head of state is the president. The head of government is the prime minister. Legislative power belongs to the bicameral Congress, consisting of the Economic and Regional Council and the National Assembly.
Language
Official language: French, Sango
Religion
20% of the population are Protestants, 20% are Catholics, 10% are Muslims, the rest are adherents of local traditional beliefs.
Currency
International name: KFA
Currency can only be exchanged in banks. The use of traveler's checks is limited (accepted only by two capital banks).
Tourism in the Central African Republic
Holidays in the Central African Republic at the best price
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Popular hotels
Tips
Tips are 10% in restaurants (in cafes and street bars they are practically not used, but rewarding staff other than the bill is not prohibited). In a taxi, you should round the amount up or agree on the amount in advance with the taxi driver.
Purchases
It is customary to bargain in markets and private stores, and sometimes it is possible to significantly reduce the price (this does not apply to the purchase of silver and gold, where excessively active bargaining is not encouraged).
Most of the country is occupied by the Azande hill (600–900 m above sea level), above which rise individual higher granite massifs of Yade (in the west, the highest point is Mount Gau - 1420 m) and Fertit (in the east). In the north of the country, the Azande elevation gradually decreases and turns into a swampy plain of the southern edge of the Chad basin. The main rivers are the Ubangi (a tributary of the Congo) in the south and tributaries of the Shari River, which flows into Lake Chad, in the north. Numerous waterfalls on the rivers give the landscape a special charm; the most beautiful of them, Boali on the Mbali River, is located in a wooded area 70 km from the capital and is not inferior in height to Niagara.
The climate is subequatorial, hot: average temperature January 21 °C, July - 31 °C. Precipitation (1000–1200 mm in the north and 1500–1600 mm in the south) falls mainly in summer due to the invasion of wet monsoons. In the south, the dry period is very short - from December to February. The country's vegetation is rich and is represented mainly by tall-grass savannas, in which, in addition to grasses, individual deciduous and evergreen trees grow, including cheese tree, shea butter, tamarind, and barassa palm. Forest savannah gradually turns into humid rainforests, located first along the rivers, and in the extreme south merging into a single massif. The abundance of food in the savannah creates favorable conditions for the life of elephants, buffalos, and antelopes; giraffes, white and black rhinoceroses, and ostriches have been preserved. Common predators are cheetah, civet, and lion. There are many birds near the ponds (including flamingos, herons), as well as hippos and crocodiles. Monkeys are especially numerous in the forests. "Hunting zones", including nature reserves and National parks occupy almost a third of the country's territory. Three large reserves and national park Saint-Flory is located near the city of Birao in the northeast, in the north is the “hunting zone” of Ndele, in the southeast is Haute Mbomou.
The peoples inhabiting the CAR (about 4.5 million people in total) mainly belong to the Bantu group, the largest of them are the Banda, Baya, Manjia, Bubangi, Azande, Sara. The main occupation is agriculture, but pygmies remain in the forests, still living mainly by hunting. Two thirds of the inhabitants profess African religions.
The capital Bangui (734 thousand people), founded in 1889, is very picturesque and resembles a huge park. IN National Museum magnificent examples of African art are presented.
Story
In the 16th–18th centuries. there were no strong forces on the territory of the CAR centralized states. Slave traders from the coast often visited this region Atlantic Ocean and from the Muslim states that existed in the lake area. Chad. By 1800, due to the slave trade, the local population had sharply declined, and many areas were literally depopulated. In 1805–1830, thousands of Gbay, fleeing the Fulani conquerors who invaded Northern Cameroon, settled on the plateau in the upper reaches of the Sanga and Lobaye rivers. In the 1860s, Bantu-speaking peoples from the northeastern regions of the Congo (modern DRC) often fled from Arab slave traders on the northern bank of the Ubangi River. Later, the gang and a number of other peoples, hiding from Arab-Muslim slave traders, fled from the Bahr el-Ghazal region to the sparsely populated savannas in the upper reaches of the Kotto River.
The French explored and occupied the territory of the Central African Republic in 1889–1900. Small French detachments penetrated there from the Congo and concluded treaties with local leaders. In 1894, the current territory of the Central African Republic received the name Ubangi-Shari. In 1899, France granted private companies monopoly concessions to develop the natural resources of Gabon, Middle Congo and Oubangui-Chari. The scandals that erupted in 1905–1906, caused by the merciless exploitation of Africans, forced the French government in 1910 to limit the powers of concession companies and begin to combat abuses. Nevertheless, the Compagnie Forestier du Sanga-Oubangui continued to mistreat the Africans forcibly recruited from the southwestern regions of Oubangi-Shari. The management of the company was not influenced even by the revelations made in 1927 on the pages of the Parisian press famous writer Andre Gide. In 1928, the uprising of the Gbaya people against concession companies and forced labor on the construction of the railway connecting the Congo with the ocean coast spread to neighboring Cameroon and was suppressed only in 1930.
During the period between the two world wars, under the leadership of General Lamblin, the best road network in French Equatorial Africa was created in Ubangi-Shari. At the same time, the activities of Catholic and Protestant missions intensified there, which paid great attention to the development of the education system for Africans. In 1947–1958, Ubangi-Shari, as an “overseas territory” of France, was represented in the French parliament and had its own Territorial Assembly. In 1958, Ubangi-Shari, under the name Central African Republic (CAR), became an autonomous state within the French Community, and on August 13, 1960 it declared independence. In 1966, Colonel Jean-Bedel Bokassa seized power in the country. In 1976 he proclaimed himself emperor. His rule was despotic and cruel. In 1979, Bokassa was overthrown in a coup d'etat with the support of France, and the republican system was restored in the country.
After the overthrow of Bokassa and his flight to France, President David Dako tried to establish governance of the devastated country. At the beginning of 1981, a new constitution was adopted and presidential elections. Having received 50% of the votes, D. Dako won the elections. Four political organizations created on an ethnic basis, refused to recognize Daco's victory, and parliamentary elections, scheduled for the same 1981, were cancelled. The commander-in-chief of the armed forces, General Andre Kolingba, seized power in the country.
The reign of President A. Kolingba lasted until 1993, when Ange-Felix Patasse, former member Bokassa's cabinet, won the presidential election with 52% of the vote against 45% received by his main rival Abel Gumba. Patassé's opponents accused France of aiding and abetting election fraud. In parliament, representatives of the Patassé party received 34 seats (out of 85), supporters of Kolingba - 14 and Gumba - 7. Although in general the Patassé regime acted within the framework of the rule of law, the president was intolerant of the opposition and the uncontrolled press. In 1995, Patassé created his personal presidential guard.
Faced with the constant abuses of the CAR government in the financial sector, the World Bank, IMF and other Western financial institutions began to curtail assistance since 1995. The World Bank insisted on the need to reduce administrative costs and privatize state-owned enterprises, but this did not meet with Patassé's understanding. Unlike other French-speaking African states, the CAR did not benefit significantly from the 1994 devaluation of the CFA franc by 50% relative to the French franc.
Due to persistent financial difficulties in the mid-1990s, the Patasse government frequently failed to pay the salaries of military personnel and government officials. In April 1996, amid growing mass discontent, a coalition of opposition parties, known as CODEPO, held an anti-government rally. Shortly after this action, the first of several government mutinies occurred. The French government, trying to normalize the situation, in June 1996 decided to provide assistance in paying salaries to officials and military personnel.
Supported by peacekeeping forces In France, the Patasse government managed to maintain relative order in the country. However, the growing confrontation between the army and armed opponents of the government resulted in bloody clashes.
Through the mediation of a delegation of leaders of neighboring countries that arrived in the CAR, a truce agreement was concluded between the government and the opposition in January 1997 in Bangui. It provided for an amnesty for the rebels, broad representation of opposition parties in the new government of national unity, and the replacement of French peacekeeping forces with military contingents from neighboring states.
In the new government, formed in February 1997, part of the ministerial portfolios was distributed among representatives of opposition parties. The French contingent was replaced by an African peacekeeping mission of 700 troops from neighboring Burkina Faso, Chad, Gabon, Mali, Senegal and Togo. In March–June, clashes between the African peacekeeping contingent and the CAR security forces, dissatisfied with foreign interference, became more frequent. As a result, the rebels were forced to sign a permanent ceasefire agreement. In November 1997, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution authorizing the continued monitoring of compliance with the Bangui agreements under its auspices. In February-March 1998, a Conference on Interethnic Reconciliation was held in Bangui, which ended with the conclusion of an agreement.
Economy
The Central African Republic is one of the least economically developed countries in Africa. 66% of the country's amateur population is engaged in consumer agriculture and livestock farming. In the north, sorghum and millet are cultivated, in the south - corn, cassava, peanuts, yams and rice. About 80 thousand people are hired workers who work mainly in the public sector, on agricultural plantations and transport. There is an acute shortage of qualified specialists in the country. In 1996, GDP was estimated at $1 billion, or $300 per capita. In 1992–1993, GDP declined by 2% per year, in 1994 it grew by 7.7%, and in 1995 by 2.4%. The share of agricultural products in GDP is approx. 50%, industrial – 14%, transport and services – 36%.
In the 1960s, the role of individual miners in diamond mining increased, especially after the removal of several French diamond mining companies from the country in 1969. In 1994, 429 thousand carats of diamonds were mined, in 1997 - 540 thousand. Gold mining, on the contrary, is declining: in 1994 – 191 kg, in 1997 – 100 kg. Mainly due to a lack of transport means, the uranium ore deposit near Bakuma is not being developed. The coffee tree is mainly grown on plantations owned mainly by whites. Foreign companies exploit a small portion of the world's richest forest resources countries. The manufacturing industry is poorly developed and is mainly represented by enterprises producing food, beer, textiles, clothing, bricks, dyes and household utensils. The share of industrial production (mining, construction, manufacturing, energy) in GDP in 1980–1993 increased by an average of 2.4% per year.
The total length of roads suitable for use in any weather is 8.2 thousand km. Highest value has a motorway connecting Bangui with the capital of Chad, N'Djamena. The length of navigable sections of the rivers is 1600 km. The railway connects Bangui with the port of Pointe-Noire (Republic of the Congo).
The main export items are diamonds, timber and coffee. In 1994, for the first time since independence, the Central African Republic achieved a positive trade balance; the value of imports amounted to 130 million dollars, exports - 145 million. The main trading partners are France, Japan and Cameroon. The CAR is a member of the Central Bank of Central African States, which issues the CFA franc, which is a convertible currency against the French franc.
Policy
Until 1976, the country was a republic, briefly parliamentary, then presidential. The president, elected for a seven-year term, had broad powers, while parliament had very limited power. It was restored in 1979 republican uniform board.
From 1950 to 1979, the leading political force in the country was the Movement for the Social Development of Black Africa, which was created and led by the former Catholic priest Barthelemy Boganda, who was ethnically gay. Until his death in 1959, he was the first prime minister of the Central African Republic. His place was taken by David Dako, Boganda's cousin and associate. In 1966, Boganda's nephew, Colonel Jean-Bedel Bokassa, carried out a coup d'état and seized power in the country.
In 1976, the Central African Republic became a monarchy and was renamed the Central African Empire (CAE). Bokassa proclaimed himself emperor and concentrated all power in his hands. In 1979, a coup took place in the Central Academy of Arts, as a result of which Bokassa was overthrown and the republic was restored; D. Dako returned to power.
At the beginning of 1981, after a wave of demonstrations swept through Bangui, D. Dako approved a new constitution for the country, which proclaimed a multi-party system and human rights. The constitution provided for the introduction of the post of president, elected for a six-year term by universal suffrage. An independent judicial system was created. The president had the right to appoint the prime minister and members of the government.
Later that year, at the suggestion of D. Dako, presidential elections were held, in which he won. This did not lead to a reduction in tension in the country. D. Dako opposed the trade unions and canceled the parliamentary elections. In September 1981, the army under the command of General Andre Kolingba, with the tacit support of France, carried out a bloodless coup. The authoritarian rule of the new head of the Central African Republic continued until 1993, when, under pressure from the opposition after mass protests, A. Kolingba was forced to hold presidential elections in accordance with the procedure provided for by the 1981 constitution. Ange-Felix Patasse won these elections.
The CAR maintains close ties with France. The country is part of the French franc zone and the Association of Francophone States. The Central African Republic is a member of the Organization of African Unity and the UN.
Population
In 1997, the population of the Central African Republic was 3,350 thousand people. The main ethnic groups are Gbaya (34%), Banda (27%), Manja (21%), Sara (10%), Mbum (4%), Mbaka (4%). Often traditional power is limited to the local leader, but some tribes have retained a more complex and centralized hierarchy of power: leaders of tribes, districts, and the supreme leader. The institution of slavery has long existed in this region, but the slave trade as a profitable trade spread thanks to the Arabs. Before the establishment of the French colonial regime, slave traders captured hundreds of thousands of slaves.
The official languages are French and Sango. 20% of the population are Protestants, 20% are Catholics, 10% are Muslims, the rest are adherents of local traditional beliefs. Capital and The largest city– Bangui (600 thousand inhabitants).
In the early 1990s, about 324 thousand children were studying in primary schools, and 49 thousand in secondary schools and technical schools. Most of the teachers in secondary schools are French. There is a university in Bangui. In 1995, adult literacy reached 40%.