FAUSTIN-ARCHANGE TOUADERA

Faustin-Archange Touadéra, born on April 21, 1957, in Bangui, Central African Republic, hails from a humble background. His father worked as a driver, while his mother was a farmer. Originally from Damara, a town north of Bangui, Touadéra pursued his early education at the Barthelemy Boganda College in Bangui, where he earned his baccalaureate in 1976. He furthered his studies in mathematics, earning a doctorate from Lille University of Science and Technology in France in 1986 and a second doctorate from the University of Yaoundé I in Cameroon in 2004.

Touadéra began his academic career in 1987 as an assistant lecturer in mathematics at the University of Bangui. His leadership skills were soon recognized, leading to his appointment as vice-dean of the university's Faculty of Science from 1989 to 1992. He played a significant role in shaping the educational landscape of the Central African Republic, notably as the director of the teachers' training college and as the vice-chancellor of the University of Bangui in 2004. During his tenure as rector from 2005 to 2008, he introduced initiatives like the entrepreneurship training program and contributed to the establishment of the Euclid Consortium, an intergovernmental university.

Touadéra's political journey began when he was appointed prime minister by President François Bozizé on January 22, 2008, following the resignation of his predecessor. His tenure as prime minister was marked by efforts to foster national unity, particularly in the wake of a peace deal with the Séléka rebel coalition. Despite his dismissal in 2013 as part of the peace agreement's terms, Touadéra remained a key figure in the country's political landscape.

In 2015, he ran as an independent candidate in the presidential election, where he emerged victorious in the second round with 62% of the vote. As president, Touadéra has faced significant challenges, including maintaining security amidst the withdrawal of French military forces and addressing the economic struggles of a country heavily reliant on agriculture. His administration has also been marked by his relationship with Russia, particularly through the involvement of the Wagner Group in his personal security detail and his support for Russian intervention in the country.

Touadéra's leadership has not been without controversy, particularly regarding his efforts to extend his time in office. In 2023, he called for a referendum to abolish term limits and extend the presidential term, actions that were met with opposition and boycotts. On a personal note, Touadéra is a member of the Fraternal Union of Baptist Churches and maintains a complex family life, being married to two women, Brigitte and Marguerite "Tina" Touadéra, with whom he has three children. Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faustin-Archange_Touad%C3%A9ra