Famous people from Central African Republic
Here is a list of famous people from Central African Republic. Curious if anybody from Central African Republic made it our most famous people in the world list? Read the aformentioned article in order to find out.
Nathalie Tauziat
Tennis Player
Nathalie Tauziat is a former professional tennis player from France. She was the runner-up in women's singles at the 1998 Wimbledon Championships. Her career-high singles ranking was third in 2000.
Jean-Bédel Bokassa
Politician
Jean-Bédel Bokassa was a military officer and the head of state of the Central African Republic and its successor state, the Central African Empire, from his coup d'état on 1 January 1966 until 20 September 1979. Of this period, he served almost eleven years as president, and for almost three years he reigned as self-proclaimed emperor. Following his overthrow, the Central African Republic was restored. Bokassa's imperial title did not achieve international diplomatic recognition. Born in French Equatorial Africa, the son of a village chief, Jean-Bédel Bokassa was orphaned at age 12. Educated in mission schools, he joined the French colonial army in 1939 as a private. He distinguished himself in the war in Indochina, winning medals and rising to the rank of captain. When French Equatorial Africa gained its independence as the Central African Republic in 1960, the new president David Dacko, who was his distant cousin, invited Bokassa to head the armed forces. In 1966, Bokassa used his position to oust Dacko and declared himself president. He then began a reign of terror, taking all important government posts for himself. He personally supervised judicial beatings and introduced a rule that thieves would have an ear cut off for the first two offenses and a hand for the third. In 1977, in emulation of his hero Napoleon, he crowned himself emperor of the Central African Empire in a ceremony costing $20 million, practically bankrupting the country. His diamond-encrusted crown alone cost $5 million. In 1979 he had hundreds of schoolchildren arrested for refusing to wear uniforms made in a factory he owned, and was reported to have personally supervised the massacre of 100 of the schoolchildren by his Imperial Guard.
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa
Soccer
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa is a French international footballer who plays for English Premier League club Newcastle United. He primarily plays as a central defender, though he can play along the entire back line.
Romain Sato
Basketball Small forward
Romain Guessagba-Sato-Lebel, generally known as Romain Sato, is a Central African professional basketball player for Valencia BC of the Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto. He plays as a swingman.
Michel Djotodia
Politician
Michel Am-Nondokro Djotodia is a Central African politician who has been President of the Central African Republic since 24 March 2013, following the overthrow and flight of President François Bozizé. He was a leader of the Séléka rebel coalition in the December 2012 rebellion; following a peace agreement, he was appointed to the government as First Deputy Prime Minister for National Defense in February 2013.
Élie Doté
Politician
Élie Doté was Prime Minister of the Central African Republic from June 2005 to January 2008.
Habib Habibou
Soccer
Mouhamadou Habib Habibou is a Central African born football player who currently plays for SV Zulte Waregem. He also received a call up for the Central African Republic national side.
Kelly Youga
Soccer Defender
Kelly Alexandre Youga is a Central African footballer who plays as a defender for the Central African Republic national football team and is currently a free agent.
David Dacko
Politician
David Dacko was the first President of the Central African Republic, from August 14, 1960 to January 1, 1966, and the third president of the CAR from September 21, 1979 to September 1, 1981. Even after being removed from power twice by coups d'état, Dacko continued to be a very active politician and presidential candidate with a loyal group of supporters. Dacko was thus an important political figure in CAR politics for a period of over half a century.
Foxi Kéthévoama
Soccer Midfielder
Foxi Kéthévoama is a Central African footballer who plays for FC Astana on loan from Kecskeméti TE. He scored his first international goals in the Central African Republic's 2–0 victory over Botswana on 2 June 2012, the nation's first ever win in FIFA World Cup qualifying.
Barthélemy Boganda
Politician
Barthélemy Boganda was the leading nationalist politician of what is now the Central African Republic. Boganda was active prior to his country's independence, during the period when the area, part of French Equatorial Africa, was administered by France under the name of Oubangui-Chari. He served as the first Prime Minister of the Central African Republic autonomous territory. Boganda was born into a family of subsistence farmers, and was adopted and educated by Roman Catholic Church missionaries. In 1938, he was ordained as the first Roman Catholic priest from Oubangui-Chari. During World War II, Boganda served in a number of missions and after was persuaded by the Bishop of Bangui to enter politics. In 1946, he became the first Oubanguian elected to the French National Assembly, where he maintained a political platform against racism and the colonial regime. He then returned to Oubangui-Chari to form a grassroots movement in opposition of French colonialism. The movement led to the 1949 foundation of the Movement for the Social Evolution of Black Africa, which became popular among villagers and the working class. Boganda's reputation was slightly damaged when he was laicized from the priesthood after marrying Michelle Jourdain, a parliamentary secretary. Nonetheless, he continued to advocate for equal treatment and civil rights for blacks in the territory well into the 1950s.
Eloge Enza Yamissi
Soccer Midfielder
Eloge Ethisse Enza Yamissi is a midfielder currently playing for French Ligue 1 club Valenciennes FC.
Ange-Félix Patassé
Politician
Ange-Félix Patassé was a Central African politician who was President of the Central African Republic from 1993 until 2003, when he was deposed by the rebel leader François Bozizé. Patassé was the first president in the CAR's history to be chosen in what was generally regarded as a fairly democratic election in that it was brought about by donor pressure on the Kolingba regime and assisted by the United Nations Electoral Assistance Unit. He was chosen a second time in a fair election as well. However, during his first term in office, three military mutinies in 1996–1997 led to increasing conflict between so-called "northerners" and "southerners". Expatriate mediators and peacekeeping troops were brought in to negotiate peace accords between Patassé and the mutineers and to maintain law and order. During his second term as president, Patassé increasingly lost the support of many of his long-time allies as well as the French, who had intervened to support him during his first term in office. Patassé was ousted in March 2003 and went into exile in Togo.
André Kolingba
Politician
André-Dieudonné Kolingba was the fourth president of the Central African Republic, from 1 September 1981 until 1 October 1993. He took power from President David Dacko in a bloodless coup d'état in 1981 and lost power to Ange-Félix Patassé in a democratic election held in 1993. Kolingba retained the strong support of France until the fall of the Berlin Wall, after which both internal and external pressure forced him to hold presidential elections which he lost. His twelve-year term in office saw the growing influence of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in decisions by donor-nations regarding financial support and management of the Central African state. Many members of Kolingba's ethnic group, the Yakoma people, obtained lucrative posts in the public, private and parastatal sectors of the CAR's economy during his era. This gave rise to growing tension between so-called "southerners" and "northerners" in the CAR which led to violent confrontations between these groups during the Patassé era.
Hilaire Momi
Soccer
Hilaire Roméo Verdi Momi is a Central African footballer who plays as a forward for Le Mans and the Central African Republic national team. He made his international debut in Central African Republic's opening game at the 2007 CEMAC Cup, scoring a goal in their 3–2 defeat to Chad.
Nanda Malini
Musical Artist
Nanda Malini whose unmatchable deep voice started a new chapter in Sri Lankan female classical music context is undoubtedly the most talented Sri Lankan female singer who is often compared with country's most respected singer Pandith Amaradewa. She has gained her praise and popularity and won her eleven Sarasaviya Awards and eight Presidential Awards for Best Singer .
Nicolas Tiangaye
Politician
Nicolas Tiangaye is a Central African politician and lawyer who has been Prime Minister of the Central African Republic since February 2013. He was President of the National Transitional Council from 2003 to 2005. Following a peace agreement between the government and rebels, Tiangaye was designated by the opposition and the rebels as their choice for the post of Prime Minister in January 2013.
Manassé Enza-Yamissi
Soccer Defender
Manassé Ruben Enza-Yamissi is a Central African professional football player, who currently plays for Petrolul Ploiești. He operates as a centre back.
Abel Goumba
Politician
Abel Nguéndé Goumba was a Central African political figure. During the late 1950s, he headed the government in the period prior to independence from France, and following independence he was an unsuccessful candidate for President of the Central African Republic four times. Goumba, who was President of the Patriotic Front for Progress political party, served under President François Bozizé as Prime Minister from March 2003 to December 2003 and then as Vice-President from December 2003 to March 2005. Subsequently, he was appointed as Mediator of the Republic.
Anicet Lavodrama
Basketball Player
Anicet-Richard Lavodrama y Ondoma is a retired basketball player from the Central African Republic. He competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics with the Central African Republic national basketball team. Appearing in each of the seven games, Lavodrama scored 30 points twice and had a double-double in 4 of the six matches. He played for the Houston Baptist Huskies from 1981 until 1985 and was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 3rd round of the 1985 NBA Draft. Lavodrama also played 344 matches in the Spanish Liga ACB between 1985 and 1998.
Faustin-Archange Touadéra
Politician
Faustin-Archange Touadéra is a Central African politician and academic who served as Prime Minister of the Central African Republic from January 2008 to January 2013.
Martin Ziguélé
Politician
Martin Ziguélé is a Central African politician who was Prime Minister of the Central African Republic from 2001 to 2003. He placed second in the 2005 presidential election and is currently the President of the Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People. Ziguélé was appointed as Prime Minister on April 1, 2001 by President Ange-Félix Patassé, replacing Anicet-Georges Dologuélé. He had previously lived in Lomé, Togo for twenty years and was an executive member of the MLPC. He left office when rebel leader François Bozizé took power upon capturing the capital, Bangui, on 15 March 2003. Ziguélé was allowed to go into exile in France. Ziguélé was initially barred from running in the 2005 presidential election, along with six other candidates, by a court ruling on December 30, 2004. He was subsequently reinstated as a candidate by Bozizé, along with two other candidates, on January 4. Later in January, all barred candidates, with the lone exception of Patassé, were allowed to run; following this, Patassé's party, the MLPC, backed Ziguélé for the election. Previously, he had been running as an independent. The election was held on March 13, 2005, and Ziguélé came in second with 23.5% of the votes according to official results. He faced Bozizé in a second round of voting, and tried to distance himself from Patassé in campaigning, but was defeated and took 35.4% of the vote.
Béranger Aymard Bosse
Olympic Track and field Athlete
Aymard Bosse Béranger is a Central African sprinter who specializes in the 100 metres. He competed at the 2007 World Championships, the 2008 Olympic Games and the 2012 Olympic Games without progressing to the second round. In Beijing he finished in sixth place in his first round heat in a time of 10.51 seconds. In London he finished in first place in his preliminary round heat in a time of 10.55, however, he finished seventh in his Round 1 heat, again in a time of 10.55. His personal best time is 10.38 seconds, achieved in April 2007 in Dakar.
Alexandre Banza
Military officer
Lieutenant Colonel Alexandre Banza was a military officer and politician in the Central African Republic. Born in Carnot, Ubangi-Shari, Banza served with the French Army during the First Indochina War before joining the Central African Republic armed forces. As commander of the Camp Kassaï military base in 1965, Banza helped Jean-Bédel Bokassa overthrow the government of President David Dacko. Bokassa rewarded Banza by appointing him as minister of state and minister of finance in the new government. Banza quickly established the new regime's reputation abroad and forged diplomatic relations with other countries. In 1967, Bokassa and his protégé had a major argument over the president's extravagances. In April 1968, Bokassa removed Banza as minister of finance. Recognizing Bokassa's attempts to undermine him, Banza made a number of remarks highly critical of the president's handling of the government. Bokassa responded by abolishing the minister of state position. Banza soon decided to stage a coup d'état. He confided in a few military officers, who he hoped would support his attempt to gain power. One of his confidants, Jean-Claude Mandaba, contacted the president and informed him of the date of the coup, 9 April 1969. Hours before he was going to execute his bid for power, Banza was ambushed by Mandaba and taken directly to Bokassa. Bokassa nearly beat Banza to death before Mandaba suggested that Banza be put on trial for appearance's sake. On 12 April, Banza presented his case to a military tribunal, which quickly sentenced him to death by firing squad. He was reportedly taken to an open field, where he was executed and buried in an unmarked grave. Alternate circumstances of Banza's death have been reported in Time and Le Monde. In the aftermath of the failed coup, Banza's family, mistress and close associates were all arrested and either sent to jail or deported. With Banza eliminated, Bokassa spent extravagantly and surrounded himself with adulators.
Fernander Kassaï
Soccer
Fernander Kassaï is Central African international footballer who plays professionally for French club Le Mans as a defender.
Josué Balamandji
Soccer Midfielder
Josué Kossingou Balamandji is a Central African footballer who plays for Bulgarian club Chernomorets Burgas. He plays as either a striker or a winger.
Franklin Clovis Anzité
Soccer Defender
Clovis-Franklin Anzité is a French footballer who currently plays for Home United FC.
Jean-Bedel Bokassa II
Noble person
Jean-Bédel Bokassa, Jr, or Jean-Bédel Bokassa II is a son of the self-styled "Emperor Bokassa I" of the Central African Empire by his sixth wife Catherine Denguiadé, who became "Empress" on Bokassa's assumption of the throne. Following his father's decision to become "Emperor", Jean-Bédel was named, at the age of 4, as heir apparent with the title of Crown Prince. He was chosen despite having several older brothers and half-brothers. Bokassa I's eldest son by another wife, Georges, was a cabinet minister but Bokassa considered him weak. Jean-Bédel was included in Bokassa I's lavish coronation of 4 December 1977, which Pope Paul VI refused to attend.
Patrick Boui
Olympic athlete
David Boui is a Central African Republican taekwondo practitioner. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, he competed in the Men's –68 kg competition and lost to silver medalist Mohammad Bagheri Motamed of Iran in the first round and to Afghan bronze medalist Rohullah Nikpai in the repechage.
Adeline André
Fashion Designer
Adeline André is a French fashion designer and the head of one of the ten haute couture design houses in Paris. She is born in Bangui, French Equatorial Africa and studied at the School of the Syndicate Chamber of Parisian Couture. After her graduation in 1970 she entered the House of Christian Dior as an assistant for Haute Couture collections, working next Marc Bohan. In 1981 she formed her own designer House Adeline André. That same year she also registered her most famous fashion innovation, the "three sleeve holes" at the French National Industrial Property Institute and 1982 at the World Intellectual Property Organization. Examples of this three sleeve holes garment are in the collections of French Fashion Museum, Palais Galliera in Paris, the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and the Fashion and Design Museum in Lisbon. In May 1997, Adeline André became an 'invited member‘ of the Syndicate Chamber of Parisian Haute Couture and a 'permanent member‘ since January 2005. She is currently the head designer at the fashion house that bears her name. Adeline André also teaches color at her alma mater, participates in gallery and museum exhibitions, and designs costumes for ballet, opera and theater.
Mickaël Conjungo
Olympic athlete
Mickaël Conjungo is a French discus thrower. He formerly represented his birth country of the Central African Republic. On the regional African level he won a gold medals at the 1993 African Championships, silver medals at the 1995 All-Africa Games and the 2000 African Championships and bronze medals at the 1998 African Championships and 1999 All-Africa Games. He also won silver at the 1994 Jeux de la Francophonie and bronze at the 1997 Jeux de la Francophonie. He competed at the Summer Olympics in 1992, 1996 and 2000 and the World Championships in 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997 and 1999 without reaching the finals. His personal best throw is 63.78 metres, achieved in July 1994 in Sorgues. This is the current national record for the Central African Republic. For this country he holds the national record in all throwing events, and even pole vault.
Elisabeth Domitien
Politician
Elisabeth Domitien was the prime minister of the Central African Republic from 1975 to 1976. She was the first and to date only woman to hold the position. Domitien began her political career in the Movement for the Social Evolution of Black Africa, the country's only legal political party at the time, being appointed vice president of the party in 1972. On 2 January 1975, the dictator Jean-Bédel Bokassa formed a new government and introduced the post of prime minister. At first, Domitien was made vice-president of the political party and later was appointed to the position of prime minister. She was the first woman to serve as prime minister of an African nation. Her relationship with Bokassa soured after he began discussing the possibility of instituting a monarchy with himself as emperor. When Domitien openly rejected the plans, she was promptly fired and her cabinet was dismissed. With the overthrow of the Bokassa monarchy in September 1979, Domitien was arrested and brought to trial on charges of covering up extortion committed by Bokassa during her tenure as prime minister. She served a brief prison term in 1979 and then put on trial in 1980, after which she was prohibited from returning to politics, though she remained a prominent figure, both as a former politician and as a businesswoman.
Eudes Dagoulou
Soccer Midfielder
Eudes Cratia Dagoulou Koziade is a Central African Republic professional football player. He plays for MC Oran in Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1.
Serge Souchon-Koguia
Soccer Midfielder
Serge Souchon-Koguia is a Central African Republican footballer who had last contracted to Tanjong Pagar United in the Singapore S.League. He plays as a Midfielder, and has represented the Central African Republic on two occasions, both in 2011.
Jean-Jacques Démafouth
Man
Jean-Jacques Démafouth is a political leader in the Central African Republic. He is a former Defense Minister, Presidential candidate, and is the current political leader of the APRD rebel group. He led the peace delegation of the APRD to talks with the government in December 2008.
Lionel Bomayako
Basketball Player
Lionel Bomayako is a Central African Republic-French basketball player. He is also a member of the Central African Republic national basketball team.
Vianney Mabidé
Soccer Midfielder
Vianney Mabidé is a Central African footballer who plays for Moroccan club Raja Casablanca. He was called to Central African internationals, competed at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, scored one goal.
Henri Maïdou
Politician
Henri Maïdou was Prime Minister of the Central African Empire/Central African Republic from 14 July 1978 to 26 September 1979. He ran in the 1981 presidential election, finishing fourth.
Christian Nassif
Swimmer
Christian Djidagui Nassif is a Central African swimmer specializing in freestyle. He competed in the 50 m event at the 2012 Summer Olympics and finished with a rank of 55, and he would not advance to the semifinals. He also competed in the 50 meter event at the 2013 World Aquatics Championships.
Célestin Gaombalet
Politician
Célestin Leroy Gaombalet is a Central African politician who was Prime Minister of the Central African Republic from 2003 to 2005. He was President of the National Assembly from 2005 to 2013.
Nicaise Zimbori-Auzingoni
Soccer Midfielder
Nicaise Zimbori-Auzingoni is a Central African footballer.
Jean-Serge Bokassa
Noble person
Jean-Serge Bokassa is a Central African politician who has been Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture since April 2011. He is a son of Jean-Bédel Bokassa, who ruled the Central African Republic from 1966 to 1979. Born in Bangui in 1972, Jean-Serge was a son of Bokassa and Joelle Aziza Eboulia. When his father became Emperor of the Central African Empire on 4 December 1976, Jean-Serge, along with his siblings became a Prince with the style Imperial Highness. He was enrolled at a Swiss boarding school when his father was overthrown. As a result he was taken out of the school and along with other family members went into exile in Gabon. The family eventually returned from exile and Jean-Serge has been elected as a deputy in the National Assembly of the Central African Republic. While speaking warmly of his father, saying that he was a loving family man and "a patriot" who was the victim of "character assassination by media", he has described Bokassa's creation of a monarchy as "indefensible".
Simon Narcisse Bozanga
Politician
Simon Narcisse Bozanga was Prime Minister of the Central African Republic from 4 April 1981 to 1 September 1981, when his government was overthrown by a military coup. Before serving as Prime Minister, Bozanga was Ambassador to Gabon from 1978 to 1979, and Minister of Justice from 1980 to 1981.
Marcelin Tamboulas
Soccer Midfielder
Marcelin Tamboulas is a Central African Republic striker, who plays for Sporting Club Bangui.
Léandre-Alain Baker
Film Director
Léandre-Alain Baker is an actor and film director from the Central African Republic.
Pamela Girimbabazi
Olympic athlete
Pamela Girimbabazi Rugabira, born January 10, 1985, is an Olympic swimmer from Rwanda. She swam for Rwanda at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympics; and was the country's flagbearer in 2008. During that time, she "never had a formal swim lesson or regular coach". She was disqualified during the Sydney Games due to technical rules that she was unaware of, and subsequently taught herself the rules by consulting the Internet. Later, she also taught herself from a book about swimming belonging to fellow Rwandan swimmer Jackson Niyomugabo. She trained in a hotel pool 25 metres in length. Her personal best in the 50 metre freestyle prior to the Beijing Olympics was 35 seconds. She failed to improve on that time in Beijing, finishing third out of four in her heat, and 88th overall, with a time of 39:78. Girimbabazi has been described as a "minor celebrity" and "an icon of pure sport spirit, an athlete who competes for the love of the game, not for the thrill of victory or the fame and riches that might follow".
Charles Perrière
Actor
Charles Perrière is an actor and a screenwriter.
Michel Gbezera-Bria
Politician
Michel Gbezera-Bria is a Central African politician who was Prime Minister of the Central African Republic from 1997 to 1999. Gbezera-Bria was born in Bossangoa and is a member of the Baya ethnic group. He was ambassador to several countries during the 1960s and 1970s. He was Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Central African government from 1988 to 1990 and private secretary to President Ange-Felix Patasse from 1995 to 1996. Subsequently he was Minister of Foreign Affairs again from June 6, 1996 to February 18, 1997 and Prime Minister from January 30, 1997 to January 4, 1999. He was named Prime Minister as part of a national unity government following a mutiny.
Amorese Dertin
Soccer Midfielder
Destin Amorese is a Central African footballer who plays for AS Pélican Lambaréné as midfielder.
Charlie Dopékoulouyen
Footballer
Charlie Dopékoulouyen is a Central African footballer who plays as a forward for Raja Casablanca and the Central African Republic.
Salif Kéïta
Soccer Defender
Salif Kéïta is a Central African footballer who plays for Difaa El Jadida as defender.
Arnaud Bingo
Professional Team Handball Player
Arnaud Bingo is a French handball player.
Romaric Lignanzi
Soccer Midfielder
Romaric Lignanzi is a Central African footballer who plays for FC Sapins Libreville as midfielder.
Herve Lougoundji
Football team manager
Herve Lougoundji is the head coach of the Central African Republic's national football team.
Audin Boutou
Soccer Defender
Audin Boutou is a Central African footballer who currently plays for DFC8 Bangui as a defender.
Emmanuel Yezzoat
Soccer
Emmanuel Yezzoat is a Central African footballer who plays for FC Bilombé as goalkeeper.
Gervais Kago
Soccer Midfielder
Gervais Kago is a Central African footballer who plays for US Bitam as midfielder.
Ralph Kottoy Yapande
Soccer Midfielder
Ralph Kottoy Yapande is a footballer who plays for the Paris FC.
Mamadi Saoudi
Soccer Midfielder
Mamadi Saoudi is a Central African footballer who plays for SCAF Tocages as midfielder.
Brice Mohi
Soccer
Brice Mohi is a Central African footballer who plays for SCAF Tocages as forward.
Bertrand Kémo
Soccer Midfielder
Bertrand Kémo is a Central African footballer who currently plays for FC 105 Libreville as a midfielder.
Evrard Gondjé-Marboua
Soccer
Evrard Gondjé-Marboua is a Central African footballer.
Kévin Bédot
Soccer Defender
Kévin Bédot is a Central African footballer who plays for SCAF Tocages as defender.
Junior Gourrier
Soccer Midfielder
Junior Gourrier is a Central African football player who currently plays for DFC8 Bangui.
Elisabeth Mandaba
Olympic athlete
Elisabeth Mandaba is an athlete.
Hervé Eric Loungounaj
Soccer Goalkeeper
Hervé Eric Loungounaj is a Central African footballer who plays for Central African Republic national football team as goalkeeper.