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The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between capital flight, diamond exports and political governance crisis in the Central African Republic. To achieve this, use is made of multiple correspondence analysis to construct a political governance crisis index, and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model and Bound test for co‐integration are employed to establish short‐run and long‐run relationships. The short‐run results show political governance crisis and diamond exports have a significant and negative effect on capital flight. The interaction term between diamonds exports and political governance crisis is found to be positively related to capital flight in the short run. The long‐run equilibrium shows a significant and negative relationship between political governance crisis, diamond exports, and gross domestic product growth even though the interaction between political governance crisis and diamond exports show a positive and significant relationship. The total natural resource rent is found to be positively related to capital flight but not statistically significant. It is then recommended that a combination of stable political governance associated with reducing corruption in public affairs and promoting transparency in the management of the diamond sector be strengthened to effectively reduce the flight of capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment of acute malnutrition requires novel approaches to improve coverage, reduce costs and improve the efficiency of standard protocols that separate the management of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) and severe acute malnutrition (SAM). The use of simplified, combined protocols to treat both MAM and SAM has drawn research and policy interest among global, regional and national stakeholders. However, the perspectives of local communities and health care workers regarding the use of protocols to treat acute malnutrition in a routine health care system are generally lacking. This was a cross‐sectional mixed‐methods study aimed at assessing the perceptions of different stakeholders on the use of a simplified, combined protocol in two districts in the Central African Republic. Most of the respondents preferred the simplified, combined protocol over the standard protocol. They generally agreed that the protocol was easy to understand, allowed more children to receive treatment and was effective in treating acute malnutrition. The protocol modifications were well received, including the expanded admission criteria, use of mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC) only for admission and discharge criteria and reduced and simplified ready‐to‐use therapeutic food quantity to treat MAM and SAM. Some caregivers expressed concern with the use of MUAC only to declare recovery, flagging that underlying illnesses could still be present. The caregivers recommended the provision of other food basket interventions to improve the treatment. The support by caregivers and health care workers on the idea of training community health volunteers to treat acute malnutrition points to the potential of scaling up decentralized treatment to increase coverage in remote areas. Key messages: The use of the simplified, combined protocol to treat acute malnutrition received overwhelming support from most stakeholders involved in implementation.Stakeholders were supportive of the use of the protocol to provide care for both severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) children with a shorter length of stay in treatment.Most stakeholders supported the use of mid‐upper arm circumference only for the admission and discharge of children.The majority of stakeholders reported that the ready‐to‐use therapeutic food given for MAM and SAM was sufficient for the child's recovery.The idea of training and equipping community health volunteers to treat acute malnutrition was well supported by caregivers and health care workers and should be explored further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simplified, combined protocol admitting children with a mid‐upper‐arm circumference (MUAC) of <125 mm or oedema to malnutrition treatment with ready‐to‐use therapeutic food (RUTF) uses two sachets of RUTF per day of those with MUAC < 115 mm and/or oedema and one sachet of RUTF per day for those with MUAC 115–<125 mm. This treatment previously demonstrated noninferior programmatic outcomes compared with standard treatment and high recovery in a routine setting. We aimed to observe the protocol's effectiveness in a routine setting at scale, in two health districts of the Central African Republic through an observational cohort study. The pilot enrolled children for 1 year in consortium by the Ministry of Health and nongovernmental partners. A total of 7909 children were admitted to the simplified, combined treatment. Treatment resulted in an 81.2% overall recovery, with a mean length of stay (LOS) of 38.7 days and a mean RUTF consumption of 43.4 sachets per child treated. Among children admitted with MUAC < 115 mm or oedema, 67.9% recovered with a mean LOS of 48.1 days and consumed an average of 70.9 RUTF sachets. Programme performance differed between the two districts, with an overall defaulting rate of 31.1% in the Kouango‐Grimari health district, compared to 8.2% in Kemo. Response to treatment by children admitted with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) by MUAC and SAM by oedema was similar. The simplified, combined protocol resulted in a satisfactory overall recovery and low RUTF consumption per child treated, with further need to understand defaulting in the context. Key messages: The simplified, combined protocol with a mid‐upper‐arm circumference (MUAC)‐based ready‐to‐use therapeutic food (RUTF) resulted in a recovery rate that reached SPHERE standards, low length of stay and low RUTF consumption per child among all children treated.Response to treatment was similar among children admitted with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) by oedema and those admitted SAM by MUAC.Contextual factors such as insecurity and stockouts in treatment products affect programme outcomes by increasing defaulting and decreasing recovery rates.The simplified, combined protocol might present an opportunity to treat more children with less product; decentralised delivery should continue to be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper looks at the three-way relationship between the Government of Chad, humanitarians, and the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) from 2004 until June 2011. Chad was never comfortable with the international presence of either humanitarians or peacekeepers and asserted its sovereignty increasingly during this period. MINURCAT was deployed in 2008 to protect humanitarian workers and to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance in eastern Chad. This association between the UN mission and humanitarian agencies contributed to making the latter the target of repressive practices by the government, such as the imposition of armed escorts. Facing a steep learning curve, Chad and its state officials gradually appropriated the discourse of the humanitarian and international community and ultimately, in 2010, requested the departure of MINURCAT, claiming that they could meet the protection needs of vulnerable populations in eastern Chad on their own. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying and quantifying factors that influence tree growth are crucial issues to ensure sustainable forest management, particularly in moist tropical forests. Tree growth depends on several factors comprising ontogenic stage, competition by neighbours and environmental conditions. Several studies have focused on one or two of them, but very few have considered all three, especially in Central Africa. We investigated the effects of diameter and competition on tree growth, in four Central African sites characterized by their soil physicochemical properties, at both tree community and population levels.We calibrated growth models using diameter data collected on 29,741 trees between 2015 and 2018, on twelve 4 or 9‐ha plots spread over the four sites. These models included diameter, wood density, competition indices and site effect as explainable variables at the community level and excluded wood density at the population level.At the community level, the best models explained 11% of growth variability with a decreasing effect of species wood density, diameter, site and competition. Our results show that even if low, site effect can result from different soil nutrients depending on both tree size and species wood density. We observed higher tree growth on sites with (i) high exchangeable K, organic C, total N and total P for low wood density species; (ii) high available P and C:N for small trees, high exchangeable Ca and Mg for medium to large trees, all belonging to medium and hard wood density species. At the population level, the best models explained between 0 to 43% of growth variability, with significant competition effect (resp. site effect) for 21 (resp. 9) of the 43 species studied. Site ranking varied greatly between the 9 species concerned, probably reflecting different sensitivities to the scarcity of particular soil nutrients.Synthesis. Our study provides original results on the factors influencing tree growth in Central Africa, showing that the potential effect of soil nutrients depends on tree size and species wood density. Remaining highly unpredictable at the population level, this effect makes it essential to increase the number of dynamics monitoring systems in logging concessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Politics & Policy is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most prevalent malignancy of the endocrine system. Over the past decades, TC incidence rates have been increasing. TC quality of care (QOC) has yet to be well understood. We aimed to assess the quality of TC care and its disparities. Methods: We retrieved primary epidemiologic indices from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 1990–2017 database. We calculated four secondary indices of mortality to incidence ratio, disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs) to prevalence ratio, prevalence to incidence ratio, and years of life lost (YLLs) to years lived with disability (YLD) ratio and summarized them by the principal component analysis (PCA) to produce one unique index presented as the quality of care index (QCI) ranged between 0 and 100, to compare different scales. The gender disparity ratio (GDR), defined as the QCI for females divided by QCI for males, was applied to show gender inequity. Results: In 2017, there were 255,489 new TC incident cases (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 245,709–272,470) globally, which resulted in 41,235 deaths (39,911–44,139). The estimated global QCI was 84.39. The highest QCI was observed in the European region (93.84), with Italy having the highest score (99.77). Conversely, the lowest QCI was seen in the African region (55.09), where the Central African Republic scored the lowest (13.64). The highest and lowest socio‐demographic index (SDI) regions scored 97.27 and 53.85, respectively. Globally, gender disparity was higher after the age of 40 years and in favor of better care in women. Conclusion: TC QOC is better among those countries of higher socioeconomic status, possibly due to better healthcare access and early detection in these regions. Overall, the quality of TC care was higher in women and younger adults. Countries could adopt the introduced index of QOC to investigate the quality of provided care for different diseases and conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed at using plant waste (Musa Paradisiaca) for manufacturing clay‐based ceramics in order to promote lower sintering temperature while preserving the properties of use. Two kaolinic‐illitic clays (NZ1 and KO) from Central African Republic were used mixed with 1 to 10 mass% of the plant waste (MP). The clays and the waste exhibited accessory phases: quartz and iron oxides, and K2O respectively. MP was collected, dried and sieved (<100 μm) previously to its mixture with clays. According to the sintering behavior of KO and NZ1 derived from thermodilatometry, the densification was obtained after firing at 1200°C. Results showed that open porosity decreased from 35% to 17% with increasing temperature in the range 900 to 1200°C for KO and NZ1. This porosity remained in the range 30%‐40% while increasing the MP content (firing at 1000°C for 1h.). The optimized MP content was 3 and 5 mass% for KO and NZ1 clay materials respectively. The compressive strength and thermal conductivities were improved compared to clay samples without MP fired at 1200°C. Moreover a significant decrease in the sintering temperature was achieved, leading to energy saving in line with sustainability issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article discusses the World Bank loans in Central African Republic in Africa. The author mentions that International Developmeny Association will provide a grants-in-aid amounting to $7.9 million. He explains that the main purpose of the grant is to provide support to the implementation of the country's Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. The author also mentions that the grant focuses on strengthening public finance management. He explains that the grant also aims to improve public sector and economic governance.

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Fragile states have been raising increasing concern among donors since the mid-2000s. The policies of the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis (GF) have not excluded fragile states, and this source has provided financing for these countries according to standardized procedures. They represent interesting cases for exploring the meaning and role of measurement in a globalized context. Measurement in the field of HIV/AIDS and its treatment has given rise to a private outsourcing of expertise and auditing, thereby creating a new form of value based on the social process of registration and the creation of realities produced by the intervention itself. These "scriptural economies" must be questioned in terms of the production of knowledge, but also in terms of social justice. Governing HIV/AIDS treatments by numbers in a fragile state is explored in this article through the experience of the Central African Republic (CAR) in terms of epidemiology and access to antiretroviral drugs. The unexpected effects of performance-based programs in this context underline the need for global health governance to be re-embedded into a social justice framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eleven cassava genotypes were tested against cassava mosaic disease ( CMD) and compared to a local susceptible cultivar in field conditions from June 2011 to July 2012 in Central African Republic ( CAR) at two sites representative of the savanna (Damara) and forest (Pissa) zones of the country. The mean number of whiteflies observed on plants varied among genotypes within each site, but was found nearly three times higher at Damara than at Pissa, resulting in a CMD incidence nearly five times higher at Damara than at Pissa. However, no relation was observed between the number of insect on the plants and the level of susceptibility/resistance of the genotypes. The difference of disease pressure between the two sites revealed high level of resistance in several genotypes, while some other ones indicated rather only a partial resistance. Nevertheless, none of the genotypes tested was found immune, in the end, the virus being detected at least in one site in every genotype, including those ones presenting no symptoms in both sites. The impact of CMD on yield components was assessed on the local susceptible check and three partially resistant genotypes, showing that the disease has no significant effect on the tuberous roots number as well as their weight in both sites. The yield potential varied among different genotypes and between the two sites, the mean number of tuberous roots as well as their mean weight being higher in Damara than in Pissa. This study identified highly resistant genotypes such as 'Gabon' that performed well in both sites, and '91/02322' that was symptomless and presented a yield potential equivalent to the local check. These genotypes could be distributed to growers with the main advantage to be resistant to CMD and, therefore, reducing the risk to spread sources of inoculum all over the cassava cropping areas in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim Successional and soil filtering processes are key drivers of the assembly of tropical tree communities, yet little is known about how they interact. Herein, we determine whether successional pathways depend on soil type, how the soil filtering effect varies during forest succession and whether succession is accompanied by changes in trait composition. Location South-western Central African Republic. Methods We used inventory data on 90 dominant tree species (72% of the stems ≥ 30 cm d.b.h.) in 15,420 plots (each 0.5 ha) distributed over an 8300-km2 mosaic of primary and secondary forests on contrasting clay and sandy soils. We gathered data on six traits: dispersal mode, nitrogen fixation, deciduousness, leaf area, wood density and maximum diameter. After validation with historical information, we used a successional index based on pioneer proportion to assess variations in trait composition, and in α- and β-diversity, in forest succession, and within and between soil types. Results Taxonomic and functional dissimilarities between clay and sandy soils decreased continuously during forest succession. Within soil types, early-successional communities had a low taxonomic but relatively high functional α-diversity. At the landscape scale, β-diversity was higher among earlier successional stages, except in rich soils where taxonomic β-diversity was high throughout the succession. Mean values for all traits, except leaf area, showed marked variations during forest succession in both soil types. Main conclusions The effect of soil type on community composition declines during succession, suggesting that the relative importance of neutral processes is higher in mature forests. Successional pathways were fairly similar in both soil types: disturbances reduced taxonomic diversity locally and enhanced β-diversity between sites, probably because the disturbances varied in type. We also demonstrated how easy-to-collect traits help improve predictions of ecological patterns and deepen our understanding of species assembly processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a practical tool that can assure comparable metrics for the age of forest elephants at the Dzanga Clearing in the Central African Republic. It mentions that reliable individual identification was facilitated by making an identity card as every individual was encountered, recording physical features such as pattern of ear tears and sex. It states that adult males and females older than 40 years averaged 2.32 meters (m) and 1.97 m, respectively.

This article explores the politics of roadblocks in the northeastern reaches of the Central African Republic. Over the past 30 years, roadblocks have become widespread in this area of extremely minimal state institutional presence; they are one symptom of broader processes of militarization. Building on work that sees the state as a set of practices with 'magical' effects, I foreground the unpredictability and negotiation that characterize roadblock encounters to show how they challenge the dominant theories of governance in 'stateless' spaces. Though roadblock workers invoke the idea of the all-powerful state in order to qualify themselves with authorities to dispossess travelers, their practices end up strengthening noncentralized modes of rule, and particularly quests for personal profit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tropical Medicine & International Health is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

National malaria management policy is based upon the availability of effective and affordable antimalarial drugs. This study was undertaken to evaluate the quality of the treatment of uncomplicated malaria cases in Bangui, an area with multidrug-resistant parasites, at a time preceding implementation of a new therapeutic policy relying on the artemisinin derivative combined treatment artemether-lumefantrine. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Bangui city to assess availability of antimalarial drugs and the performances of health workers in the management of uncomplicated malaria. Availability of drugs was recorded in all drugs wholesalers (n = 3), all pharmacies in health facilities (n = 14), private drugstores (n = 15), and in 60 non-official drug shops randomly chosen in the city. Despite a limited efficacy at the time of the survey, chloroquine remained widely available in the official and nonofficial markets. Artemisinin derivatives used in monotherapy or in combination were commonly sold. In health care facilities, 93% of the uncomplicated malaria cases were treated in the absence of any laboratory confirmation and the officially recommended treatment, amodiaquine-sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine, was seldom prescribed. Thus, the national guidelines for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria are not followed by health professionals in Bangui. Its use should be implemented while a control of importation of drug has to be reinforced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the economic assistance provided by government agency for African country. Announcement of Dutch government to support the newly elected government in Burundi; Plan of the French Development Agency to boost private and public sector investment in Cameroon; Aid of four million from France as support for the ongoing recovery process in public finances and good governance in Central African Republic.

Reports on problems related to voter registration in the Central African Republic in 2004. Disappearance of thousands of voter-registration cards; Low number of people registering; Failure of political leaders to mobilize their supporters to register; Holding of a referendum on a new constitution; Statements by Jean Wilibiro-Sacko, chairman of the electoral commission.

Western gorillas Gorilla gorilla have been exceedingly difficult to habituate to the presence of human observers. Nevertheless, researchers have amassed a wealth of information on population densities and group structure for this ape species by locating and counting the sleeping nests of wild individuals. Such nest-count studies have suggested that western gorilla groups often have multiple silverbacks and these multimale groups occasionally divide into smaller subgroups. However, observational data from forest clearing sites and from a few recently habituated western gorilla groups show no evidence of multimale family groups or of subgrouping. This discrepancy underscores a long-standing question in ape research: How accurately do nesting sites reflect true group compositions? We evaluated these indirect measures of group composition by using DNA from faeces and hair to genetically identify individual gorillas at nesting sites. Samples were collected from unhabituated wild western gorillas ranging near Mondika Research Center in the Central African Republic and Republic of Congo. DNA extracted from these samples was genotyped at up to 10 microsatellite loci and one X–Y homologous locus for sex identification. Individuals were then identified at nesting sites by their unique multilocus genotypes, thus providing a ‘molecular census’ of individual gorillas. Results confirm that western gorillas often build more than one nest at a nesting site and, thus, nest counts can be highly inaccurate indicators of group size and composition. Indeed, we found that nest counts can overestimate group size by as much as 40%, indicating that true gorilla population numbers are probably lower than those reported from census surveys. This study demonstrates how genetic analysis can be a valuable tool for studying and conserving elusive, endangered animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. A density-dependent model is used to describe the dynamics of an open population of tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae). Immigration (or emigration) takes place when the total population is below (or above) a biologically determined threshold value. The population is also subjected to birth and death rates, as well as to the risk of being trapped (continuously or intermittently). During trapping the population decreases toward a ‘low’ equilibrium population and when trapping ceases the population starts recovering and increases toward a ‘high’ equilibrium. The model is fitted using data collected on trapped flies in four experiments. The first one was conducted with ‘intermittent trapping’ (i.e. several trapping-recovery cycles) on Glossina fuscipes fuscipes Newstead in the Central African Republic (Bangui area). In the other experiments, trapping data on Glossina palpalis palpalis (Robineau-Desvoidy) was collected in ‘aggregate’ form over several days at a time. Two of these were in Congo-Brazzaville (Bouenza area) and one in the Ivory Coast (Vavoua focus). Estimates are derived for the low and high equilibrium values as well as the trapping rate. The estimated effect of sustained trapping is to reduce the population to low equilibrium values that are 85–87% lower than the levels without trapping. The effects of the natural intrinsic growth and of the migration flows cannot be estimated separately because in the model they are mathematically indistinguishable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Documents the positional behavior used by lowland gorillas in the Central African Republic. Comparison of the effects of body sizes dimorphism on the use of arboreal substrates; Factors influencing substrates use and subsequent positional activities; Relationship of body size to arboreal behavior.

The article discusses the political condition in Central African Republic (CAR). The CAR government has signed a peace deal with the country's main rebel group, Central African People's Democratic Front (FDPC), and later with the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR) to stop the lawlessness in the country. Meanwhile, CAR citizens are fleeing to seek refuge in yet another poor country, Chad. However, experts believe that the peace treaties will not make much difference.

The article reports on a looming food crisis in parts of the Central African Republic because of the rebellion in December 2012. According to humanitarian agencies, clashes between government and rebel forces have resulted in the displacement of thousands of people and the disruption of cultivation and trade. An analyst from the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP) said prices of food are increasing because of the rebellion.

The article discusses the attacks in the towns of Central African Republic after the Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace (CPJP) rebel group signed a peace deal to stop rebellion by the armed group. The Fundamental CPJP faction claimed the attacks in two towns saying they want president Francois Bozize to depart. It also notes CPJP leader Abdoulaye Hissene rejecting any responsibility for the attacks and pointing the blame on the Chadian rebel group.

The article focuses on a report released by the United Nations which deals with continued recruitment of children by armed groups in Central African Republic.

The article reports on the abduction of French Nationals in the Central African Republic and Chad. It states that two aid workers for the French organization Triangle were kidnapped in Birao at the Central African Republic. It says that French agronomist Laurent Maurice of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was abducted by armed men at Chad in November 9, 2009. Furthermore, French Secretary of State for Cooperation Alain Joyandet says that France would not pay any ransom.

The article reports on the economic condition of Central African Republic. After several years of conflict, the country has returned to economic growth, with a rate of 3.7% in 2006, compared to an annual average of 0.6% from 1998 to 2005. Its economic recovery process is anticipated to continue in 2007 and 2008 with the implementation of macroeconomic and structural reforms.

The article reports that thousands of people have fled fighting in northwestern Central African Republic (CAR) after the government raided their homes to hunt down rebels. The raids were launched by government soldiers on villages on the northwest border with Cameroon and Chad on April 17-19, 2007 to root out gunmen who had attacked a town the previous weekend.

The article reports that the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a three-year arrangement under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) for the Central African Republic in an amount equivalent to U.S.$54.5 million to support the government's economic program into 2009.

The article reports on the improvement of the distribution system of the United Nations project providing clean water for thousands of flood-affected residents of Bangui, Central African Republic. The scheduled change of distribution system of the project is revealed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA said that the water will be freely available at the existing water kiosks owned and privately run by the national water company Societe de Distribution des Eaux en Centrafrique.

Focuses on the views of Finance Minister Theodore Dabanga that the economy would go through a financial crises due to the fall of treasury revenue in the Central African Republic. Claim of Dabanga that country relies on taxation and custom duties to keep its economy afloat; Importance of the country to correct discrepancies arising from the wage bill and low revenues in order to avail economic assistance from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and the African Development Bank; Insights on the support given by the European Union on the regime of President Francois Bozize.

Reports on the results of the parliamentary elections in the Central African Republic in 2005. Election of the spouse of former president Andre Kolingba, Mireille Kolingba and the former National Assembly Speaker Luc Apollinaire Dondon Konamabaye; Political candidates; Indications of politics.

Reports on the Central African Republic's (CAR) urgent need for emergency financial assistance from donor countries. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' launch of a CAR interagency appeal in 2005, asking for 23.3 million dollars in emergency aid; Difficulty of assessing the problems facing the country's inhabitants due to decades of political and economic crises; Deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the country in 2002; Extent of the AIDS problem in the country.

Reports on comments on the presidential and parliamentary election in the Central African Republic. Question on whether true democracy can be established in the country; Voters' optimism about the prospect of having a legitimate government.

Reports that refugees from the Congo Republic are being voluntarily repatriated from the Central African Republic, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Escape of refugees during fighting in 1998 between rebels and troops loyal to the late Congo President Laurent Kabila.

Reports on a riot after security forces opened fire to lift barricades in Bangui, Central African Republic. Use of the road barriers as protest to the murder of a Chadian national by the police; Impact of the mutiny staged by Chadian ex-rebels on the relations between the Chadian community and security forces; Security strategies of the army.

Reports on the results of the International Monetary Fund's review of the economies of Burundi, Central African Republic and Madagascar. Administration and economic program implementation; Gross domestic product; Debt-service payments; Public finances; Level of international assistance.

Reports on the United States administration's issuance on December 30, 2003, of a list of African countries that have met requirements to give them access to trade preferences. Exclusion of the Central African Republic and Eritrea from the list because they were unable to meet eligibility requirements for the African Growth and Opportunity Act; Criteria on which eligibility for trade preferences is based; Inclusion of Angola in the list of eligible countries.

The article reports that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved SDR3.467 million, on January 14, in interim assistance under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. It notes that the interim assistance will help the Central African Republic to meet its debt service payments on its existing debt to the Fund in 2008. It mentions that the Executive Board agreed that the Central African Republic qualified for debt relief under the HIPC Initiative on September 28, 2007, and had reached the decision point.

The article highlights the support expressed by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to a law in the Central African Republic (CAR) that guarantees refugees protection and other basic rights. Bruno Geddo, UNHCR representative in Bangui, stressed the significance of CAR's adoption of a national refugee law. CAR has an estimated 220,000 displaced civilians from the country's north and thousands of refugees, including 2,000 Congolese and 2,700 Sudanese, from the Darfur region.

Reports on Central African Republic-based Committee to Protect Journalists' condemnation of the imprisonment of Maka Gbossokotto, publication director of the private French-language daily "Le Citoyen". Defamation and slander cases filed against Gbossokotto; Refusal of local newspapers to publish articles to protest Gbossokotto's imprisonment.

Reports on developments concerning cooperation and trade in Africa, as of January 2004. European Union's decision to end consultations opened in June 2003 with the Central African Republic and partially restore cooperation with the country; Italy's cancellation of Cote d'Ivoire's commercial debt; Nigerian government's declaration of a ban on the importation of about 41 products; Move by the Rwandan government to give importers of leaded petrol two months to clear their storage facilities.