Commemoration Of Boganda 2023: Date, History, Facts about Central Africa

Every March 29 in the Central African Republic, the Commemoration of Boganda is observed. This national holiday commemorates the anniversary of the demise of Barthélemy Boganda, the nation’s first prime minister. Barthélemy Boganda, a politician and independence activist from Central Africa, was born in 1910. He was the first Prime Minister of the Central African Republic as an independent nation.

The background of Commemoration Of Boganda

Boganda was born into a farming family, but he was adopted and educated by Roman Catholic missionaries after the demise of his parents. In 1938, he was consecrated as a Roman Catholic priest. After serving in multiple missions during World War II, the Bishop of Bangui persuaded Boganda to enter politics. In 1946, he was elected as the first Oubanguian to the French National Assembly, where he spoke out against racism and the abuses of the colonial administration.

In 1949, he established the Movement for the Social Evolution of Black Africa (MESAN), which quickly gained popularity among villagers and peasants. Boganda was excommunicated from the seminary after developing a relationship with and eventually marrying Michelle Jourdain, a parliamentary secretary. However, he continued to advocate for blacks’ fundamental rights and equal treatment in the territory. MESAN won local elections as France conceded measures of representation to its colonies, and he acquired influence in Oubangui-Chari’s government. However, his reputation suffered when he supported a failed economic scheme.

On December 1, Boganda proclaimed Oubangui-Chari to be the Republic of Central Africa. As the first chancellor of the autonomous territory and president of the Council of Government, he drafted administrative reforms and prepared for the next election. He was killed in a plane accident en route to Bangui on March 29, 1959. Experts discovered a trace of explosives in the plane’s wreckage, but a complete report on the incident was never published. Therefore, the likelihood of an assassination remains uncertain. The Central African Republic gained formal independence from France in 1960. His death is commemorated annually in the country, and he continues to exist in the national consciousness.

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5 essential facts about Central Africa

Although the Central African Republic is rich in natural resources such as diamonds, gold, oil, arable land, and timber, it has the second-lowest per capita gross domestic product in the globe.

The Congolese Rainforest, which spans six countries including Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and the Central African Republic, is the second-largest rainforest in the world.

Chad, the Central African Republic, and Madagascar have the world’s darkest nights, so they are least afflicted by light pollution.

In the Central African Republic, there are over 80 distinct ethnic groups, each with its own language.

There are 600 identified species of butterflies and uncommon and endemic species such as gorillas, elephants, hippos, cheetahs, lions, and rhinos.

COMMEMORATION OF BOGANDA DATES