National Day in the Central African Republic falls every year on December 1. It celebrates the proclamation of the Central African Republic by Barthélemy Boganda on December 1, 1958. In Bangui, the day is marked by a civilian and military parade on Avenue des Martyrs, attended by the head of state, and other towns across the country hold their own celebrations. It is a public holiday.
Watch out
France Diplomatie (the French foreign ministry's travel advice) strongly advises against all travel to the country, except Bangui and Bimbo, where it advises against travel unless essential. Armed groups are very active, and leaving the capital is strongly advised against. In Bangui, France Diplomatie advises avoiding gatherings. Check your own government's travel advice as well.
Origins and meaning of National Day in the Central African Republic
On December 1, 1958, the territory of Ubangi-Shari, a French colony, became the Central African Republic. Its founding president, Barthélemy Boganda, proclaimed it. The country then gained independence on August 13, 1960, with David Dacko as president.
December 1 therefore honors the birth of the Republic and the figure of Boganda, its founding president. According to Radio Ndeke Luka, he was the first Ubangian priest, ordained in 1938, and then the first deputy from the territory to sit in the French National Assembly, in November 1946.
Boganda did not live to see independence. He died in a plane crash on March 29, 1959, four months after proclaiming the Republic. That date is also a public holiday, devoted to his memory.
| Date | What it marks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| December 1, 1958 | proclamation of the Republic by Barthélemy Boganda | national day, public holiday |
| March 29, 1959 | death of Barthélemy Boganda in a plane crash | public holiday |
| August 13, 1960 | independence, with David Dacko as president | public holiday |
How the day unfolds
The heart of the celebration is the civilian and military parade in Bangui, on Avenue des Martyrs. It is prepared well in advance. In 2025, according to the Central African press agency ACAP, rehearsals began on Wednesday, October 29, on Avenue des Martyrs. They follow a timetable set by the national organizing committee for the festivities, with a security detail in place.
Units of the Central African Armed Forces march, including the paratrooper commandos, along with ministries, state institutions, and public and semi-public bodies. The national ceremony is presided over by the president of the Republic. Representatives of the country's partners and of the diplomatic corps attend: in 2025, the head of the European mission EUAM RCA was there.
Radio Ndeke Luka described celebrations that were “both patriotic and festive” for the 67th anniversary on December 1, 2025. The celebration is not limited to the capital: other towns across the country also hold festivities.
Our advice
December 1 falls in the dry season, which runs from mid-November to mid-March in Bangui. Roads are easier to use than in the rainy season, but the safety advice stays the same.
Dates and location
The national day takes place every year on December 1, whatever the day of the week. December 1, 2026 will mark the 68th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic.
The main venue is Avenue des Martyrs in Bangui, where the parade is held. Central African media follow the preparations: in 2025, ACAP reported on the rehearsals from late October.
Attending
If your trip to Bangui is essential, contact your embassy or consulate before you leave, as France Diplomatie recommends. Once there:
- avoid gatherings and demonstrations, as well as the 3rd arrondissement (PK5) and its surroundings;
- do not travel at night, and avoid taxis, which are strongly advised against;
- on the airport road, stay on the main route.
Watch out
Do not photograph the parade without permission. In the Central African Republic, every photo requires permission, and photographing official buildings, military sites or people in uniform can lead to arrest.
Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality. You apply at a Central African Republic embassy; France Diplomatie mentions no online procedure. Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory, and health care capacity is very limited. All the details are on our page on entry requirements for the Central African Republic.
For background, see our Central African Republic guide and the calendar of festivals in the Central African Republic.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Central African Republic's national day?
December 1. It commemorates the proclamation of the Central African Republic by Barthélemy Boganda on December 1, 1958.
What is the difference between December 1 and August 13?
December 1 marks the proclamation of the Republic by Boganda in 1958, when Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic. August 13 marks independence, gained in 1960. Both dates are public holidays.
Is December 1 a public holiday in the Central African Republic?
Yes, it is a public holiday. The day is devoted to the Bangui parade and to celebrations in towns across the country.