David Dacko

David Dacko was the first president of the Central African Republic, governing from independence in 1960 until a 1966 coup and again from 1979 to 1981.

Central African Republic: A landlocked country in Central Africa, independent since 1960. Dacko led the country at independence and shaped its first postcolonial government.
One-party state: A political system in which one party holds a legal monopoly on political power. Dacko made MESAN the sole legal party during his first presidency.
Jean-Bédel Bokassa: A Central African military officer who seized power in 1966 and ruled the country until 1979. Bokassa overthrew Dacko, later became emperor, and was himself replaced by Dacko.
Saint-Sylvestre coup d'état: The military coup led by Jean-Bédel Bokassa on 31 December 1965 and 1 January 1966. It ended Dacko’s first presidency and began Bokassa’s long rule.
French Equatorial Africa: A federation of French colonial territories in Central Africa from 1910 to 1958. Dacko entered public life within the colonial administration that preceded his presidency.
Central African Republic Constitution of 1964: The constitution adopted under Dacko that established a presidential republic and enabled his continued rule. It formalized the presidency and institutional arrangements of Dacko’s first regime.
Ange-Félix Patassé: A Central African politician who served as president from 1993 to 2003. Patassé worked in Dacko’s government and later became a major political rival and successor figure.
Central African Empire: The monarchy proclaimed by Jean-Bédel Bokassa in 1976, which lasted until 1979. Dacko returned to power when French forces ended the empire and removed Bokassa.
Barthélemy Boganda: A Central African political and religious leader who campaigned for independence and founded the MESAN party. Boganda mentored Dacko and made him a leading figure in the independence movement.
Central African Armed Forces: The military forces responsible for the defense of the Central African Republic. Dacko’s government depended on the armed forces, whose 1966 coup ended his first presidency.

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