Jean-Pierre Mara, former deputy of Mala, has addressed an open letter to President Faustin-Archange Touadéra titled "Who can change the CAR?". Mara, in his letter, claims that household purchasing power has significantly declined due to inflation under the current administration. President Touadéra, who served as Prime Minister under François Bozizé, has been President of the Republic since 2016. Mara attributes this economic downturn to the regime of President Touadéra and successive Prime Ministers since 2016, stating, "Son pouvoir d’achat est divisé par cinq" (Their purchasing power is divided by five). The former deputy also raised questions regarding governance, asking, "Le mandat est celui du Président Touadéra ou de son Premier ministre ?" (Is the mandate that of President Touadéra or his Prime Minister?).
Cassava Farmer's Perspective
Faustin Zaméto, a journalist, encountered a cassava seller at KM5 in Bangui who has commercialized cassava for two decades. The seller reported that her "cuvette," a standard measure of cassava, consistently sells for 1,500 CFA francs. According to the seller, she believes that economic conditions have not changed for the populations she represents. This perspective offers a contrasting view to Mara's claims of widespread economic decline, suggesting that for some, market prices have remained stable for an extended period.
Former Deputy Jean-Pierre Mara, in his open letter, specifically questioned President Faustin-Archange Touadéra about this price. Mara asked since when a "cuvette" of Ngawi, a type of cassava, costs 1,500 CFA francs and inquired about the authority responsible for setting this particular price. He further challenged the president on whether the price of Ngawi is uniform across the entire Central African Republic, suggesting potential regional disparities in purchasing power or market conditions. This query notes Mara's concern that a single price point for a staple commodity might not reflect the diverse economic realities across the nation.
Price Trends and Stagnant Incomes
In Mala, the cost of a bag of cassava and a bag of maize has remained unchanged since 2016, with both commodities still struggling to find buyers, according to Jean-Pierre Mara. The former deputy has specifically compared cassava prices over this period, noting significant shifts. In 2016, a 75 kg bag of cassava was priced at 1,000 CFA francs at the Dékoa market. Mara pointed out that at the PK12 supply market, five "Ngawi," a unit of cassava, sold for between 2,000 and 2,500 CFA francs, averaging approximately 500 CFA francs per Ngawi. He attributes this evolution to inflation, which he argues has severely impacted the populace.
Mara further detailed that the price of Ngawi at PK5 has seen a progressive increase, rising from 1,000 CFA francs to 2,500 CFA francs. This price escalation contrasts sharply with income stability. He claimed that in 2016, the revenue generated from selling one Ngawi was sufficient to purchase one kilogram of beef or one farmed chicken. Today, however, Mara asserts that it would require selling five Ngawi to afford the same kilogram of beef, illustrating a stark decline in purchasing power. "Son pouvoir d’achat est divisé par cinq," Mara stated in his open letter, referring to the population's economic struggle. He emphasizes that this reduction in purchasing power is a direct consequence of the policies implemented by the regime of Faustin-Archange Touadéra and successive Prime Ministers since 2016.
Mara’s letter also questioned the broader governance framework, asking, "Le mandat est celui du Président Touadéra ou de son Premier ministre ?" This query underlines his concerns about accountability for economic conditions. The former deputy estimates that a significant portion of the populace, between 70% and 80%, primarily seeks employment opportunities amidst these economic pressures, indicating a widespread need for economic improvement beyond just price regulation.
Questions for the Regime
Former Deputy Jean-Pierre Mara, in his open letter to President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, questioned the prominence of citizens' purchasing power within the concerns of the current regime and the MCU (Mouvement Cauris pour un Benin Émergent). Mara specifically challenged the administration to explain the economic difficulties faced by populations not employed as civil servants, implying a disconnect between government policy and the broader populace. He asks when the state last intervened to regulate the prices of essential goods such as cassava and meat, suggesting a lack of government oversight in stabilizing market costs.
Mara also directly asked whether the mandate for governing the Central African Republic belonged to President Touadéra or his Prime Minister, raising questions about accountability for the country's economic state. Additionally, Mara inquired about the last instance the state intervened to regulate the prices of essential goods such as cassava and meat, suggesting a lack of government oversight in stabilizing market costs. He argues that the government's role in price regulation is key for protecting the economic well-being of its citizens.
Broader Context and Locations
Félix Moloua, who served as Minister of Planning, later became Prime Minister under President Faustin-Archange Touadéra. Sociologist and political analyst Faustin Zaméto conducted a report on the first 100 days of the Moloua III government, focusing on the Bangui-Bangassou axis. In his open letter, former Deputy Jean-Pierre Mara cited declining purchasing power, stating, "Son pouvoir d’achat est divisé par cinq." Mara noted that a bag of rice now costs 35,000 CFA francs, a significant expenditure for many households. He also referenced various localities, including Gobongo, Mala, Miaméré, Bambouti, and Adoumandalia, along with peasants from Ndassima, Gamboula, and Guiffa, to illustrate widespread economic struggles. These references show the geographical breadth of the issues he is raising, suggesting that economic hardship is not confined to a single region but affects communities across the Central African Republic. Mara questioned the leadership's accountability, asking, "Le mandat est celui du Président Touadéra ou de son Premier ministre ?" He also recalled that in Mala, Yanindji and Gourna Zacko, with the involvement of sub-prefect Kpodan and the head of the school sector, worked in 2020 to remove Mara in favor of an MCU candidate, hinting at underlying political dynamics influencing the current economic discourse.