Number: RS22751 Title: The Central African Republic Authors: Ted Dagne, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division Abstract: In March 2003, a rebellion led by former Army Chief of Staff Francois Bozize ousted President Ange Patasse from power. In 2005, the Bozize government organized presidential and legislative elections. In May 2005, Bozize defeated former Prime Minster Martin Ziguele and his ruling party won 42 out of the 105 seats in the National Assembly. The Central African Republic (CAR) has been impacted by the crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan and suffers from internal rebellion. Fighting between rebel groups and government forces has displaced more than 70,000 people in northeastern CAR. In September 2007, the European Union approved the deployment of a 4,000 man peacekeeping force to Chad and CAR. Pages: 4 Date: November 2, 2007