Ex-emperor’s son among hopefuls in Central Africa’s historic polls
What you need to know:
- Thirty candidates are vying for the presidency in the volatile Central African Republic, including the son of onetime self-proclaimed emperor, Jean-Bedel Bokassa, who modelled his extravagant coronation on Napoleon’s.
- Known as “Mr Clean”, Anicet Georges Dologuele worked at the Bank of Central African States serving six countries that form a monetary bloc before being named PM, a job he held from 1998 to 2001.
- “Iron man” Martin Ziguele, 58, is a former PM who lived in Togo for decades before taking up a job at the taxation department in his country.
- A former minister under Bozize, Abdoul Karim Meckassoua, 62, is considered to be one of the ousted ruler’s closest allies and is admired for being a competent administrator.
BANGUI, Saturday
Thirty candidates are vying for the presidency in the volatile Central African Republic, including the son of onetime self-proclaimed emperor, Jean-Bedel Bokassa, who modelled his extravagant coronation on Napoleon’s.
But Bokassa and two other sons of former leaders are not among the frontrunners in Wednesday’s parliamentary and presidential polls, aimed at ending more than two years of sectarian violence erupted after a mainly Muslim rebellion overthrew longtime leader Francois Bozize in 2013.
Bozize and Michel Djotodia, who toppled him, have been barred from the election in the poverty-stricken country, wracked by violence, coups and dictatorships since it gained independence from France in 1960.
Here is a list of the favourites.
Anicet Georges Dologue
Known as “Mr Clean”, Dologuele worked at the Bank of Central African States serving six countries that form a monetary bloc before being named PM, a job he held from 1998 to 2001.
His term was marked by attempts to clean up public finances and his campaign boasts peaceful past and record as premier.
“At age 58, I have never held a weapon,” he said recently.
“I am happy to recall that between 1996 until now, the only time there were no military or political crises was during my time in office.”
Dologuele headed the bank from 2001 until 2010 then set up the Central African Union for Renewal party. He has the backing of the party of ousted president Bozize.
Martin Ziguele
“Iron man” Ziguele, 58, is a former PM who lived in Togo for decades before taking up a job at the taxation department in his country.
Fluent in French, Spanish and English, Ziguele was named premier in 2001 and started cleaning up the corrupt customs service.
He trained his guns on then chief of staff Francois Bozize for corruption. Bozize later took power in a coup and Ziguele remained a fierce opponent during Bozize’s time in power. Ziguele is running for a third time.
Abdoul Karim Meckassoua
A former minister under Bozize, the 62-year-old is considered to be one of the ousted ruler’s closest allies.
Meckassoua is admired for being a competent administrator.
He enjoys support among Muslims and was instrumental in effecting a rapprochement between former president Ange Felix Patasse and Bozize, the man who toppled him and took power.
The former lawmaker is contesting the election as an independent candidate from a constituency in the capital Bangui.
