The Central African Republic (CAR) came into existence on 1 December 1958 as a semi-autonomous member state of the Communaute (French Community), meaning that France still controlled its currency, defense, foreign affairs and national security. The history of the CAR can be interpreted in radically different ways. One the one hand the people of Central Africa have suffered enormously at the hands of slave traders, concessionary companies, French colonialists and African rulers, and their country remains largely undeveloped. On the other most Central Africans have retained free use of land on...