The Central African Republic

A small, poor, little-known nation, the Central African Republic has had a troubled history, from the days of slave raids by Arab-speaking peoples from the north, through the bizarre rule of Jean-Bedel Bokassa, to the present military regime. Landlocked and possessing few resources beyond its famed diamonds, it is one of the least developed nations in Africa. Since its independence from France in 1959, it has of necessity continued to depend on its former colonial ruler. In this introduction to