Peace and Development in the Central African Republic: A Conversation with Her Excellency Catherine Samba-Panza

Instability and poverty continue to define the lives of far too many citizens of the Central African Republic. Over the past year, the country has experienced devastating violence along community and religious lines as well as massive displacement of residents both within the country and throughout the region. Her Excellency Catherine Samba-Panza assumed the role of president of the Transitional Government of Central African Republic in January with a dual mandate of ending the ongoing violence and preparing the country for national elections in 2015. President Samba-Panza’s agenda to stabilize her country serves as a focal point for the international community’s efforts to address the security crisis, restore the state’s authority and consolidate peace.

On Friday, September 19, the Africa Growth Initiative (AGI) at the Brooking Institution, along with Mercy Corps and Search for Common Ground, hosted a conversation with President Samba-Panza. Before serving in her current capacity, President Samba-Panza was mayor of Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, and had a distinguished career in both the private sector and within the Central African Republic’s active civil society. Kemal Derviş, vice president of the Global Economy and Development Program provided introductory remarks. AGI Senior Fellow Amadou Sy moderated the discussion.