Barthélemy Boganda (1910-1959) was the leading pre-independence nationalist in the Central African Republic. He served as Prime Minister from 8 December 1958 to 29 March 1959, when he died in a plane crash. In 1949, he founded the Movement for the Social Evolution of Black Africa (MESAN). He is noted for his work towards uniting central Africa, similar to the Pan-African ideas of Kwame Nkrumah. 1910 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1959 was a common year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... Nationalism is an ideology that creates and sustains a nation as a concept of a common identity for groups of humans. ... The Central African Republic is a land-locked country in central Africa. ... December 8 is the 342nd day (343rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1958 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... March 29 is the 88th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (89th in Leap years). ... 1959 was a common year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1949 is a common year starting on Saturday. ... Kwame Nkrumah Kwame Nkrumah (September 21, 1909 - April 27, 1972) was a Ghanaian politician and one of the most influential founders of Pan-Africanism. ...

The MESAN was founded as a genuinely democratic and nationalist party; however, it was later hijacked by Boganda's nephew, Jean-Bédel Bokassa, and converted into an instrument of repression during the existence of the "Central African Empire." Jean-Bédel Bokassa ( February 22, 1921– November 3, 1996) was the military ruler and emperor of the Central African Republic from January 1, 1966 until his overthrow on September 20, 1979. ... The Central African Empire was the name of the Central African Republic when president Jean_Bédel Bokassa declared himself Emperor Bokassa in 1977. ...

Boganda was also reportedly related to David Dacko, the first Central African president, and Elisabeth Domitien. David Dacko (24 March 1930 – 20 November 2003) was the first post-independence President of the Central African Republic. ... Elisabeth Domitien (born 1926) was prime minister of the Central African Republic. ...