The Mouvement de Libération du Peuple Centrafricain (MLPC) has described the Central African Republic's economic and social situation as a "naufrage économique et social" (economic and social shipwreck), following the reappointment of Félix Moloua as Prime Minister, Head of Government, by presidential decree on May 21, 2026. This marks Mr. Moloua's third reconduction, an event the MLPC stated occurred "contre toute attente" (against all expectations). "Cette énième reconduction s’est faite à l’étonnement général de la mouvance au pouvoir et à la profonde déception de la population," the MLPC stated, adding, "Après un tel réquisitoire, il ait cru devoir reconduire tous les principaux inamovibles dans le gouvernement Moloua 3. Nonobstant l’absence de leurs résultats sur tous les plans et secteurs."
The MLPC critique contrasts with President Faustin-Archange Touadéra's speech during his oath of office on March 30, 2026, where he announced promises of "rupture et de transformation." The opposition party contended, "Cette situation est la résultante d’une gestion calamiteuse de l’économie nationale par le pouvoir." They noted that "87% des recettes publiques sont absorbées par les salaires des fonctionnaires qui représentent moins de 1% de la population, elle-même estimée à 6 millions d’âmes," according to the Minister of Finance. The MLPC further asserted that the government "a concédé un large pan des grandes entreprises formelles à ses amis et attribué l’exclusivité de l’importation des hydrocarbures à une société étrangère, ce qui a asséché de fait les caisses de l’Etat." The party also noted that "80% de la population centrafricaine vit de l’économie informelle," and "la crise énergétique prive les PME ou artisans ainsi que certains ménages qui en ont la possibilité."
Criticism of Government Continuity
The Mouvement de Libération du Peuple Centrafricain (MLPC) stated that the population recalled President Faustin-Archange Touadéra's second indictment of the Moloua government during the most recent council of ministers. This recollection shows the public's sentiment regarding the government's performance. The MLPC emphasized that Prime Minister Félix Moloua and his government will have served more than four consecutive years after this latest reappointment. The party characterized the reappointment as occurring "against all expectations," noting, "This umpteenth reappointment occurred to the general astonishment of the ruling movement and the deep disappointment of the population." The MLPC further asserted, "After such an indictment, he saw fit to reappoint all the main immovable members in the Moloua 3 government, notwithstanding the absence of their results on all levels and sectors."
The MLPC also accused the government of transferring a significant portion of major formal businesses to associates. The party stated, "The power that conceded a large part of major formal businesses to its friends and attributed the exclusivity of hydrocarbon imports to a foreign company, which effectively dried up the state coffers." This action, according to the MLPC, reflects a broader issue of economic mismanagement. The party added, "This situation is the result of a calamitous management of the national economy by the government." It pointed out that, "According to the declarations of the Minister of Finance, 87% of public revenues are absorbed by the salaries of civil servants who represent less than 1% of the population, itself estimated at 6 million souls." The MLPC noted the disparity, adding that "while 80% of the Central African population lives from the informal economy, the energy crisis deprives SMEs or artisans as well as some households who have the means."
Economic Hardship and Debt Burden
The Mouvement de Libération du Peuple Centrafricain (MLPC) asserts that the current economic situation is "la résultante d’une gestion calamiteuse de l’économie nationale par le pouvoir" (the result of calamitous management of the national economy by the government). The party cited figures from the Minister of Finance, noting, "Selon les déclarations du Ministre des Finances, 87% des recettes publiques sont absorbées par les salaires des fonctionnaires qui représentent moins de 1% de la population, elle-même estimée à 6 millions d’âmes" (According to the declarations of the Minister of Finance, 87% of public revenues are absorbed by the salaries of civil servants who represent less than 1% of the population, itself estimated at 6 million souls). This allocation of funds leaves minimal resources for other sectors, according to the MLPC.
The MLPC claims that after debt servicing is factored in, there are no remaining resources for investing in development initiatives that would benefit the remaining 99% of the population. The party further stated that the government "a concédé un large pan des grandes entreprises formelles à ses amis et attribué l’exclusivité de l’importation des hydrocarbures à une société étrangère, ce qui a asséché de fait les caisses de l’Etat" (conceded a large part of major formal businesses to its friends and attributed the exclusivity of hydrocarbon imports to a foreign company, which effectively dried up the state coffers).
The opposition group also noted the prevalence of the informal economy within the Central African Republic. It noted that 80% of the Central African population lives from the informal economy. The MLPC added that this segment of the population faces additional challenges, stating, "Alors que 80% de la population centrafricaine vit de l’économie informelle, la crise énergétique prive les PME ou artisans ainsi que certains ménages qui en ont la possibilité" (While 80% of the Central African population lives from the informal economy, the energy crisis deprives SMEs or artisans as well as some households who have the means). The MLPC characterized Prime Minister Moloua’s reappointment as occurring "contre toute attente" (against all expectations), stating, "Cette énième reconduction s’est faite à l’étonnement général de la mouvance au pouvoir et à la profonde déception de la population" (This umpteenth reappointment occurred to the general astonishment of the ruling movement and the deep disappointment of the population). The party concluded its critique by asserting, "Après un tel réquisitoire, il ait cru devoir reconduire tous les principaux inamovibles dans le gouvernement Moloua 3. Nonobstant l’absence de leurs résultats sur tous les plans et secteurs" (After such an indictment, he saw fit to reappoint all the main immovable members in the Moloua 3 government, notwithstanding the absence of their results on all levels and sectors).
MLPC's Stark Assessment
The Mouvement de Libération du Peuple Centrafricain (MLPC) has criticized the reappointment of several key ministers who were part of previous governments, citing a lack of results across all plans and sectors. The party stated, "After such an indictment, he saw fit to reappoint all the main immovable members in the Moloua 3 government, notwithstanding the absence of their results on all levels and sectors." This decision, according to the MLPC, occurred "to the general astonishment of the ruling movement and the deep disappointment of the population."
The MLPC attributes the country's economic situation to a "disastrous management of the national economy" by the authorities. The party accused the government of granting the exclusive right to import hydrocarbons to a foreign company, which it claims has depleted state coffers. The MLPC stated, "The power that conceded a large part of major formal businesses to its friends and attributed the exclusivity of hydrocarbon imports to a foreign company, which effectively dried up the state coffers."
The MLPC also noted that the energy crisis is depriving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), artisans, and some households of the means to operate. The party noted, "While 80% of the Central African population lives from the informal economy, the energy crisis deprives SMEs or artisans as well as some households who have the means." The MLPC had previously stated, "According to the declarations of the Minister of Finance, 87% of public revenues are absorbed by the salaries of civil servants who represent less than 1% of the population, itself estimated at 6 million souls."
