List of Presidents of Central African Republic: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Central African Republic from 1960 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Central African Republic, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Central African Republic: Faustin-Archange Touadéra (in office since 2016).

Presidents of Central African Republic in order, with years in office

David Dacko

Served: 1960–1966, 1979–1981

First president, ousted by Bokassa in 1966; returned after Bokassa was overthrown in September 1979 and was removed by Kolingba in 1981.

Jean-Bédel Bokassa

Served: 1966–1979

Seized power in the 1966 coup, became president for life, and declared the Central African Empire in December 1976; deposed in September 1979.

André Kolingba

Served: 1981–1993

Took power on 1 September 1981 and is the only former head of state to step down voluntarily, after the 1993 election.

Ange-Félix Patassé

Served: 1993–2003

Won the 1993 election and was deposed by François Bozizé on 15 March 2003.

François Bozizé

Served: 2003–2013

Seized power in March 2003 and was ousted by Séléka rebels on 24 March 2013.

Michel Djotodia

Served: 2013–2014

Séléka leader who seized power in March 2013 and resigned on 10 January 2014 under regional pressure.

Alexandre-Ferdinand Nguendet

Served: 2014 (interim)

Interim head of state for 13 days in January 2014.

Catherine Samba-Panza

Served: 2014–2016

Mayor of Bangui who became the first female head of state of the Central African Republic during the transition.

Faustin-Archange Touadéra

Served: 2016–present

Prime minister from 2008 to 2013; elected in 2016, re-elected in 2020, and won a third term in the 2025 election.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Central African Republic

Who is the current president of Central African Republic?

The current head of state of Central African Republic is Faustin-Archange Touadéra, in office since 2016.

Who were the previous presidents of Central African Republic?

The presidents and heads of state of Central African Republic listed on this page, in order, are: David Dacko, Jean-Bédel Bokassa, André Kolingba, Ange-Félix Patassé, François Bozizé, Michel Djotodia, Alexandre-Ferdinand Nguendet, Catherine Samba-Panza, Faustin-Archange Touadéra.

Who was the first president of Central African Republic?

David Dacko was the first president of Central African Republic, in office 1960–1966, 1979–1981.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of heads of state of the Central African Republic; Archontology.org, Central African Republic: Heads of State; reports on the 2025 election (checked Nov 2026). Includes the empire period and transitional leaders.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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