Social Evolution Movement of Black Africa
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The Social Evolution Movement of Black Africa (MESAN) was the first political party in the Central African Republic, founded in 1946 by Barthélemy Boganda. MESAN gained control of the Territorial Assembly in 1957 and was the party of the first president, David Dacko. Dacko later made MESAN the sole legal party in 1962, effectively banning all opposition until 1991. Despite a constitution providing for universal suffrage, women have been underrepresented in the National Assembly. However, Elizabeth Domitien made history as sub-Saharan Africa's first female prime minister in 1975.12
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Central African RepublicPolitical processThe Social Evolution Movement of Black Africa (Mouvement d’Évolution Sociale de l’Afrique Noire; MESAN), founded in 1946 by Barthélemy Boganda, was the first political party. It won control of the first territorial assembly elections in 1957 and was the party of the first president, David Dacko.…
Read MoreThe Social Evolution Movement of Black Africa (Mouvement d’Évolution Sociale de l’Afrique Noire; MESAN), founded in 1946 by Barthélemy Boganda, was the first political party. It won control of the first territorial assembly elections in 1957 and was the party of the first president, David Dacko.…
Read More- Central African RepublicThe struggle for leadership
…the priesthood and formed the Social Evolution Movement of Black Africa (Mouvement pour l’Évolution Sociale de l’Afrique Noire; MESAN). MESAN gained control of the Territorial Assembly in 1957, and Boganda became president of the Grand Council of French Equatorial Africa. Boganda hoped that the French territories of Chad, Gabon, Congo,…
Read More…the priesthood and formed the Social Evolution Movement of Black Africa (Mouvement pour l’Évolution Sociale de l’Afrique Noire; MESAN). MESAN gained control of the Territorial Assembly in 1957, and Boganda became president of the Grand Council of French Equatorial Africa. Boganda hoped that the French territories of Chad, Gabon, Congo,…
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