Catherine Samba-Panza

The collapse of defence, the surge in insecurity, and the destruction of schools alongside months of unpaid wages of hundreds of civil servants were among the multiple issues the Central African Republic (CAR) faced. Ten months following the March 2013 military coup of François Bozizé led by Seleka forces, the then-transient president of CAR, Michel Djotodia, resigned from his presidency. Cue the beacon of hope for the Central African Republic: Catherine Samba-Panza. Dubbed "mother courage" by her supporters, Catherine served as the interim president of CAR from January 2014 to March 2016, alleviating the country's crisis. 

During her presidency, Samba-Panza faced CAR's deteriorating political and social state, which she addressed with determined efforts toward peace-building and institutional reforms. 

Beyond advocating for peace and reconciliation, Samba-Panza has achieved tangible results that are still evident in CAR today. Among her significant milestones is the renewed commitment to improving education and promoting national identity. In December 2014, Samba-Panza's international influence was demonstrated when she met with the Director General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, to secure funding and technical support for educational and cultural initiatives. This meeting not only highlighted Samba-Panza's commitment to education (specifically female education) but also her ability to garner international support for CAR's development.

During her time, the Central African Republic restored schools and institutions destroyed by conflicts, retrained teachers, and documented and preserved national artefacts at risk of being lost due to the ongoing conflict.

Still, the conflict posed significant challenges to Samba-Panza's efforts to restore stability and peace in the country. Like every other government, Samba-Paza could only achieve some of her goals. By the end of her tenure, she acknowledged a few of her objectives were unfinished, including disarmament and reintegration of militants, security reform, and complete, total national reconciliation.  

Nonetheless, in a crisis-torn country, Catherine Samba-Panza endured a courageous battle to restore peace and relative stability. Her efforts, though not fully realised, have left a lasting impact on the Central African Republic. This legacy of resilience and determination gives hope for the future of CAR. 

~Nwadinma Amuchaezi, Assistant Editor 24/25 Committee

Image source: 

Africa Group for Justice and Accountability. Accessed 13th October, 2024. Link: https://agja.wayamo.com/team-members/catherine-samba-panza/