Nearly two weeks after Faustin Archange Touadéra was sworn in to lead the Central African Republic’s seventh republic, former prime minister and MLPC leader Martin Ziguélé has voiced his concerns. His statement comes amid escalating political tensions, with persistent friction between the ruling party and opposition groups.
a stark assessment of ongoing struggles
Speaking from Bangui, Ziguélé paints a bleak picture of the nation’s trajectory. Despite over a decade under the current administration, he argues, ordinary citizens have seen little improvement in their living standards. He emphasizes the urgent need for meaningful engagement between political leaders and civil society to reverse this downward trend.
To reinforce his argument, Ziguélé highlights stark poverty figures. Drawing on 2016 data, he notes that more than half the population lived on less than 1,000 CFA francs per day; by 2026, he warns, this proportion could swell to nearly two-thirds. Structural challenges further compound the crisis—limited access to clean water and electricity, crumbling transport networks, and a surge in illegal roadblocks all hinder economic progress.
The decline of key agricultural sectors underscores the country’s economic decline. Once a major cotton producer with yields nearing 100,000 tons, output has plummeted to roughly 2,000 tons. Similarly, coffee production—once a staple—now lacks reliable data, signaling deeper systemic failures. Ziguélé insists these trends demand sweeping political and economic action.
why dialogue is non-negotiable
For Ziguélé, open dialogue between rival political factions is not optional—it is essential. In a functioning democracy, negotiation is the cornerstone of breaking deadlocks and fostering progress. He underscores that most Central Africans reside in rural areas, where isolation and collapsing supply chains inflict the greatest hardship.
Following his March 30, 2026 inauguration, Touadéra touted achievements from his two terms but acknowledged persistent challenges. Yet Ziguélé counters that without inclusive, sincere discussions involving all national stakeholders, meaningful reforms will remain out of reach.
