Cyriaque Samba-Panza is a Central African politician, public official, and diplomat. Samba-Panza has held several ministerial and diplomatic positions throughout his career, particularly under former presidents André Kolingba and François Bozizé.[1] Jeune Afrique has described him as a "well-known political figure" within the country.[1] Samba-Panza, the husband of former President Catherine Samba-Panza, also served as the inaugural First Gentleman of the Central African Republic during her presidency from 2014 to 2016.
Biography
Samba-Panza had close ties with a number of public officials, notably former Central African Prime Ministers Jean-Pierre Lebouder and Enoch Derant Lakoué.[2][3] He also served as a government minister several times, especially within the governments of André Kolingba and François Bozizé.[1] In 1987, Samba-Panza was appointed Secretary of State for Planning, Statistics and International Cooperation.[2] He also served as chief of staff for Prime Minister Enoch Derant Lakoué from February 1993 to October 1993.[2] He was deputy minister for economic planning under President André Kolingba and Minister of Procurement under President François Bozizé until his ouster during the Central African Republic Civil War.[4] Additionally, Cyriaque Samba-Panza held the position of Vice President of the Social Democratic Party (PSD).[2]
In 1998, he married Catherine Samba-Panza, who later became President of the Central African Republic in 2014.[2][3] He held the position of the first First Gentleman in the country's history from 2014 until 2016.
Cyriaque Samba-Panza is retired from politics, as of 2023.[5]
References
