Central African Republic
Summary
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 but lasted only a decade. In March 2003, President Ange-Felix PATASSE was deposed in a military coup led by General Francois BOZIZE, who established a transitional government. Elections held in 2005 affirmed General BOZIZE as president; he was reelected in 2011 in voting widely viewed as flawed. The government still lacks full control of the countryside, where lawlessness persists. The militant group, Lord’s Resistance Army, continues to destabilize southeastern Central African Republic, and several rebel groups joined together in early December 2012 to launch a series of attacks that left them in control of numerous towns in the northern and central parts of the country. The rebels – unhappy with BOZIZE’s government – participated in peace talks in early January 2013 which resulted in a coalition government including the rebellion’s leadership. In March 2013, the coalition government dissolved, rebels seized the capital, and President BOZIZE fled the country. Rebel leader Michel DJOTODIA assumed the presidency and the following month established a National Transitional Council (CNT). In January 2014, the CNT elected Catherine SAMBA-PANZA as interim president. Elections completed in March 2016 installed independent candidate Faustin-Archange TOUADERA as president; he continues to work towards peace between the government and armed groups, and is developing a disarmament, demobilization, reintegration, and repatriation (DDRR) program to reintegrate the armed groups into society.
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📷 : Wikipedia
Statistics
From the The Joshua Project [2]
In the News
Prayer Guide
Mission agencies play an important role in education, health and work with children at risk as well as in planting churches, translating the Scriptures and other areas. The largest are BMM, Grace Brethren, InterAct, ELCA, RG. Pray now for greater partnerships between the emerging national mission movements and foreign missions. Both have great talents and gifts to bring to a partnership.
- Mission vision and interest in unevangelized peoples are growing in CAR and spreading to neighbouring countries. Adonai Missions runs a Bible school in Bangui with an emphasis on cross-cultural missions. Nations en Marche founded a polytechnic school for missionary training and a newly opened Bayaka Bible training school in the forest. These two ministries plus Mission d’Evangelisation Pour le Salut du Monde and others contribute to sending missionaries. Pray that all denominations will send students to be trained as missionaries and that those so trained will not be tempted to become city pastors.
- Church planting movements. Church Planting Institute (CPI) and PIEVCA encourage church planting movements and local church initiatives all across the sub-region. A stronger emphasis on training indigenous church planters now bears great fruit. Pray for greater involvement by denominational leaders.
Christian media and help ministries:
- Christian Radio. With several new Christian radio stations – Voix de la Grâce/Radio ESCA (Grace Brethren), Radio Evangile Néhémie (Ambassade Chrétienne), Radio Notre Dame (Catholic) and ICDI community radio (HCJB) – the gospel is going out to potentially millions every week. Several languages are broadcast several hours a day. Pray for proper coordination of Christian radio programmes and training of administrators to ensure effective ministry.
- Christian literature is increasing. More than five new literature depots in the country make material available to more than 30% of the population each year. Pray for ACATBA, a national literacy programme, for World Missionary Press, and for oral evangelism work by local groups such as Evangelists without Borders.
- The JESUS film has been widely shown in French, Sango, Gbaya (NW), Fulfulde and Zande. Pray for CCCI to achieve further progress; pray also for translators for other languages.
- GRN has recordings available in 31 languages and counting. Audio resources (cassette, CD, digital players) are treasured in this poor country with widespread illiteracy; pray for wider distribution of these materials.
- The business, academic and professional elite. Pray for progress in evangelism among these influential groups. Haggai Institute, Operation Africa and others are reaching out to them.
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