Central African Republic Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research

Updated 2348 GMT (0748 HKT) February 1, 2021

A Central African Republic police officer chases looters attacking a broken-down truck Friday, February 7, in the capital of Bangui. The country, a former French colony, was plunged into chaos last year after a coalition of mostly Muslim rebels ousted President Francois Bozize.
Photos: Photos: Crisis in the Central African Republic
Crisis in the Central African Republic – A Central African Republic police officer chases looters attacking a broken-down truck Friday, February 7, in the capital of Bangui. The country, a former French colony, was plunged into chaos last year after a coalition of mostly Muslim rebels ousted President Francois Bozize.
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Warning: Graphic images (multiple)
Photos: Photos: Crisis in the Central African Republic
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Members of the Central African Armed Forces lynch a man suspected of being a former Seleka rebel Wednesday, February 5, in Bangui.
Photos: Photos: Crisis in the Central African Republic
Crisis in the Central African Republic – Members of the Central African Armed Forces lynch a man suspected of being a former Seleka rebel Wednesday, February 5, in Bangui.
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A Central African Armed Forces member kicks the man suspected of being a former Seleka rebel.
Photos: Photos: Crisis in the Central African Republic
Crisis in the Central African Republic – A Central African Armed Forces member kicks the man suspected of being a former Seleka rebel.
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A woman runs for cover as heavy gunfire erupts in the Miskin district of Bangui on Monday, February 3.
Photos: Photos: Crisis in the Central African Republic
Crisis in the Central African Republic – A woman runs for cover as heavy gunfire erupts in the Miskin district of Bangui on Monday, February 3.
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Men take cover in a restroom as heavy gunfire erupts in Miskin on February 3.
Photos: Photos: Crisis in the Central African Republic
Crisis in the Central African Republic – Men take cover in a restroom as heavy gunfire erupts in Miskin on February 3.
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A man screams after being arrested in downtown Bangui on Saturday, February 1.
Photos: Photos: Crisis in the Central African Republic
Crisis in the Central African Republic – A man screams after being arrested in downtown Bangui on Saturday, February 1.
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A Christian fighter walks by houses burned by ex-Seleka forces in Bogoura, a small town in the Central African Republic, on Sunday, January 19. The Seleka have been forced out of power since the coup, but Christian militias, known as the anti-balaka, have been allowed to fill the power vacuum, Amnesty International said, with dire consequences for Muslim civilians.
Photos: Photos: Crisis in the Central African Republic
Crisis in the Central African Republic – A Christian fighter walks by houses burned by ex-Seleka forces in Bogoura, a small town in the Central African Republic, on Sunday, January 19. The Seleka have been forced out of power since the coup, but Christian militias, known as the anti-balaka, have been allowed to fill the power vacuum, Amnesty International said, with dire consequences for Muslim civilians.
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Muslim civilians prepare to board trucks in Bangui to flee the capital on Saturday, January 18.
Photos: Photos: Crisis in the Central African Republic
Crisis in the Central African Republic – Muslim civilians prepare to board trucks in Bangui to flee the capital on Saturday, January 18.
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A truck packed with Muslim civilians and their belongings leaves Bangui on January 18.
Photos: Photos: Crisis in the Central African Republic
Crisis in the Central African Republic – A truck packed with Muslim civilians and their belongings leaves Bangui on January 18.
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Security volunteers use sticks to fend off people trying to enter a food and supplies distribution point at a makeshift camp at Bangui M'Poko International Airport on Thursday, January 9.
Photos: Photos: Crisis in the Central African Republic
Crisis in the Central African Republic – Security volunteers use sticks to fend off people trying to enter a food and supplies distribution point at a makeshift camp at Bangui M'Poko International Airport on Thursday, January 9.