Africa > Central African Republic > Government

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Administrative divisions 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	4 22 N, 18 35 E
Constitution ratified by popular referendum 5 December 2004; effective 27 December 2004
Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address	B. P. 924, Bangui
Executive branch > Cabinet	Council of Ministers
Executive branch > Chief of state President Francois BOZIZE (since 15 March 2003 coup)
Flag description four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; a yellow five-pointed star to the hoist side of the blue band
Government type	republic
Independence 13 August 1960 (from France)
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court (3 judges appointed by the president, 3 by the president of the National Assembly, and 3 by fellow judges); Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Inferior Courts
Legal system based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (105 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
National holiday	Republic Day, 1 December
Parliamentary seats > Female	7%		[95th of 143]
Political parties and leaders Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Jacques MBOLIEDAS]; Central African Democratic Rally or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; Civic Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Forum for Modernity or FODEM [Charles MASSI]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Londo Association or LONDO; Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD [David DACKO]; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [Ange-Felix PATASSE] (the party of deposed president); National Convergence or KNK; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; People's Union for the Republic or UPR [Pierre Sammy MAKFOY]; National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE]
Political pressure groups and leaders Monam (combating gender-base violence)
Status	dictatorship
Suffrage 21 years of age; universal
Time required to start a business > days	14 days		[149th of 171]
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International periodic skirmishes over water and grazing rights among related pastoral populations along the border with southern Sudan persist

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