 | Central African Republic elections 2005: Encyclopedia II - Central African Republic elections 2005 - Candidates
Central African Republic elections 2005 - Candidates
After taking power with the seizure of the capital, Bangui, on March 15, 2003, Bozizé said that his rule would mark a transitional period prior to future elections, and he initially indicated that he would not run for president in those elections. In 2004, however, speculation increased that he intended to run, and many of his supporters called on him to stand in the election. Eventually, following a referendum on a new constitution on December 5, 2004, Bozizé announced his candidacy in the presidential election as an independent candidate on December 11, 2004, while speaking to supporters. He cited what he considered the will of the people in his decision:
After thinking thoroughly, and being deeply convinced and keeping in mind the nation's interest, I grasped the deep sense of my people's calls. As a citizen, I'll take my responsibility.
I'll contest the election to achieve the task of rebuilding the country, which is dear to me and according to your wish.3
Ten other candidates also contested the presidential election, including one former president and three former prime ministers. André Kolingba, who ruled the Central African Republic from 1981 until his defeat by Ange-Félix Patassé in the 1993 election, was the candidate of the Central African Democratic Rally (Rassemblement démocratique centrafricain). He came in second in the September 1999 election, although Patassé defeated him by a wide margin. The elderly Abel Goumba also ran as the candidate of the Patriotic Front for Progress (Front patriotique pour le progrès); a long-time politician, he served as prime minister in the late 1950s and again from March to December 2003, following Bozizé's seizure of power, subsequently becoming vice-president under Bozizé until being dismissed shortly after the election. Additionally, Martin Ziguélé, who was prime minister from 2001 to 2003 (Patassé's last prime minister prior to his ouster), contested the election, along with Jean-Paul Ngoupandé of the National Unity Party (Parti de l'unité nationale), who was prime minister from 1996 to 1997.
The other candidates were former defense minister Jean-Jacques Démafouth, the lawyer Henri Pouzère, Charles Massi of the Democratic Forum for Modernity (Forum démocratique pour la modernité), Olivier Gabirault of the Alliance for Democracy and Progress (l'Alliance pour la démocratie et le progrès), Auguste Boukanga of the Union for Renewal and Development (l'Union pour la Renaissance et le développement) and Pasteur Josué Binoua.
Other related archives1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, Abel Goumba, African Union, Alpha Oumar Konaré, André Kolingba, Ange-Félix Patassé, April 2004, April 23, April 30, August 28, Bangui, CFA francs, Central African Republic, Célestin Gaombalet, December 11, December 2004, December 30, December 5, Elections, Elie Doté, February 13, February 2, February 26, February 27, François Bozizé, Gabonese, January 10, January 15, January 2005, January 21, January 22, January 26, January 3, January 30, January 4, Jean-Paul Ngoupandé, June 11, June 19, June 3, June 4, Labour Day, Libreville, Lobaye, Mali, March 11, March 13, March 15, March 18, March 2003, March 2004, March 31, Martin Ziguélé, May 1, May 12, May 16, May 17, May 2004, May 24, May 6, May 8, Mobaye, National Assembly, November 2004, October 16, October 24, October 29, Omar Bongo, Ombella-M'Poko, Political parties, President, Prime Minister, Togo, birth certificate, coup, mediation
 Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Candidates", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki |
