DAVID DACKO

David Dacko was born on March 24, 1930, in Bouchia, a village near Mbaïki in the Lobaye region of what was then the French Equatorial African territory of Ubangi-Shari. He was the son of Joseph Iniabodé and Marie Okolania, both members of the M'Baka (Ngbaka) ethnic group. Following his birth, Dacko's family relocated to Boda, where his father worked for a European coffee planter. His father later converted to Catholicism and made significant changes in his personal life, leading to Dacko living with his uncle in Mbaïki. He attended primary school there and continued his education in Bambari before training as a teacher at the Ecole normale of Mouyoundzi in Moyen Congo. In 1951, he became a schoolmaster in the capital, Bangui.

Dacko's involvement in education led him to become principal of Kouanga College in 1955. His political career began when he joined forces with independence leader Barthélémy Boganda, also from the Ngbaka group. In March 1957, Dacko secured a seat in the Territorial Assembly of Ubangi-Shari and was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Water, and Forests. After Boganda's death in March 1959, Dacko was elected president, defeating Abel Goumba. Following the country's independence on August 13, 1960, Dacko served as the Provisional President and became the first President of the Central African Republic, benefiting from French support.

As president, Dacko sought to consolidate his power, maintaining the Minister of Defense role and amending the Constitution to establish a one-party state. He significantly boosted diamond production by allowing citizens to mine for diamonds, which became the country's primary export. However, his administration struggled with corruption and dependence on French aid, while he attempted to strengthen ties with China. By 1965, as public support waned, Dacko was overthrown in a coup led by General Bokassa.

After being imprisoned and placed under house arrest, Dacko was released in 1969 and became Bokassa's personal counselor in 1976. As Bokassa's regime faced criticism, Dacko was persuaded to aid in a coup to restore him to power. However, in September 1979, French forces executed Operation Barracuda, reinstating Dacko as president. He was elected again in a multi-candidate election in March 1981. Faced with a shortage of qualified officials and retaining many from Bokassa's administration, Dacko's rule was marked by ongoing tensions with the opposition, particularly from popular politician Ange-Félix Patassé.

Despite early successes in managing finances and providing educational opportunities, Dacko's administration struggled to maintain public support. His government organized public trials of Bokassa's officers, which briefly enhanced his standing. However, on September 1, 1981, he was overthrown in a bloodless coup by General André Kolingba. Dacko later returned to politics, leading the Movement for Democracy and Development and participating in presidential elections in the early 1990s.

During the presidencies of Patassé, Dacko remained an active opposition leader, eventually running for president again in the 1999 elections, where he placed third. After a coup by General François Bozizé in 2003, Dacko participated in the National Dialogue but faced health challenges. He sought treatment in France and passed away on November 20, 2003, in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The Central African government declared a month of national mourning in his honor, and he was buried in Mokinda, near his residence.

Dacko was married twice, first to Florence Yagbao, with whom he had one son, Bruno Dacko, a politician. After their divorce, he married Brigette Teya, with whom he had seven sons and four daughters. Throughout his life, Dacko received numerous awards, including being named Commander of the Central African Order of Agriculture and the Central African Order of Academic Palms. Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Dacko