Area: 622,436 sq km (240,324 sq mi)
Population (1997 est.): 3,342,000
Chief of state: President Ange-Félix Patassé
Head of government: Prime Ministers Jean-Paul Ngoupande and, from January 30, Michel Gbezera-Bria
As a result of the army mutiny that began in November 1996, the third in less than a year, Bangui was brought virtually to a standstill. On Jan. 4, 1997, despite the extension of a temporary truce between the mutineers and the government, two French army officers serving with an international mediation team were killed. In reprisal, French troops stationed in Bangui attacked the mutineers’ bases in the city on January 5, killing at least 10. To prevent further escalation of the fighting, Pres. Ange-Félix Patassé and rebel leader Capt. Anicet Saulet signed a pact in late January, agreeing that African peacekeepers should replace those of France. On February 12, small units from Chad, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Mali, Senegal, and Togo took over from French troops.
All those detained following the November 1996 mutiny were freed on March 17 as disarmament talks between the opposing sides continued. In February an effort at national reconciliation brought eight opposition deputies into the government. Most of the mutineers agreed in April to return to their barracks. Further disturbances, however, erupted when three rebels were killed by security forces on May 2. Blaming Patassé for the deaths, opposition parties pulled out of the government and called for a general strike. On June 24, after four days of violent clashes, the African peacekeeping force shelled Bangui. At least 100 died, thousands fled the city, and many foreign embassies were closed. Negotiations reopened, and by the end of July, most of the army dissidents had returned to their units.
This article updates Central African Republic, history of.