David Dacko
| David Dacko | |
|---|---|
David Dacko in 1962
|
|
| 1st President of the Central African Republic | |
|
In office 14 August 1960 – 1 January 1966 |
|
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Jean-Bédel Bokassa |
| 3rd President of the Central African Republic | |
|
In office 21 September 1979 – 1 September 1981 |
|
| Preceded by | none (Emperor Bokassa) |
| Succeeded by | André Kolingba |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
24 March 1930 near Mbaiki, Ubangi-Shari (now Central African Republic) |
| Died | 20 November 2003 (aged 73) Yaoundé, Cameroon |
David Dacko (French pronunciation: [david dako]; 24 March 1930 – 20 November 2003) was the 1st President of the Central African Republic from 14 August 1960 to 1 January 1966, and 3rd President from 21 September 1979 to 1 September 1981. After his second removal from power in a coup d'état led by General André Kolingba, he pursued an active career as an opposition politician and presidential candidate with many loyal supporters; Dacko was an important political figure in the country for over 50 years.
Dacko was born in the village of Bouchia, near Mbaiki in the Lobaye region, which was then a part of the French Equatorial African territory of Moyen Congo (Middle Congo). A M'Baka, he was a distant cousin of future rival Jean-Bédel Bokassa. He began primary school in Mbaiki, where his father worked as a plantation's night watchman. He continued his primary education in Bambari before being admitted to the Ecole normale of Mouyoundzi in Moyen Congo. Studying for a career in teaching, he became schoolmaster of a large primary school in the capital, Bangui in 1951.
Dacko took part in an experimental educational program promoted by the French colonial administration. Dacko was named principal of Kouanga College in 1955 and became a supporter of independence leader Barthélémy Boganda, who was from the same Ngbaka ethnic group as Dacko. In March 1957 Dacko presented himself as a candidate for legislative elections in Ubangi-Shari for the circumscription of Ombella-M'Poko and won a seat as a member of the "Territorial Assembly of Ubangi-Shari". When the first Council of Government of Ubangi-Shari was established that same year, Boganda named Dacko Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Water and Forests, in which position he served from 14 May 1957 until 23 August 1958. Dacko then served as Minister of the Interior and Administrative Affairs from 23 August to 8 December 1958.
...
Wikipedia