National Convergence "Kwa Na Kwa"

The National Convergence "Kwa Na Kwa" (French/ Sango: Convergence Nationale "Kwa Na Kwa") is a political party in the Central African Republic, built around support of François Bozizé, who came to power by coup on 15 March 2003. The movement launched by Bozizé in 2003, popularly known as simply Kwa Na Kwa or KNK (Sango for "Work, only Work") was originally a non partisan coalition in support of the interim government.^[1] Its color is orange.^[2]

2005 Elections

After his seizure of power, head of state Bozizé pledged he would not run in future elections. On 21 August 2004, the coalition of small political parties, business and political leaders relaunched the National Convergence "Kwa Na Kwa" as a political coalition to urge Bozizé to stand for president. Parties joining the KNK coalition included the PNCN and the MDI-PS. Following the 5 December Constitutional Referendum and the 7 December decree outlining a 30 January 2005 election, Bozizé announced he would run for President as an independent, supported by the KNK coalition.^[3] At a rally in Bangui, called by the KNK, Bozizé announced "I'll contest the election to achieve the task of rebuilding the country, which is dear to me and according to your wish."^[1][4]

At the elections, eventually delayed to 13 March and 8 May 2005, candidate Bozizé won 43.0 % in the first round and 64.6 % of the vote in the second round, making him President until 2010. The party itself won 42 out of 105 seats in the National Assembly.

Ideology

Bozizé himself has described the KNK as a Social Democratic party without "theories."

The Kwa Na Kwa is a working person's party in the tradition of Social Democracy. Its objective is to mobilize the population, raise awareness, and move towards development, in the sense of the fight against poverty: through work. It is only through work that we can change the situation we face in this country. The Kwa na Kwa is a tool to combat idleness, laziness and laxity. It is a party different from others in the sense that this is not a party theories.^[5]

The party aligns itself with the late founder of the Central African Republic, Barthélemy Boganda, and appeals to his "Seven Verbs": "House, Feed, Educate, Heal, Clothe."^[6]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} François Bozizé présente le Kwa Na kwa. 7 September 2009, David Cadasse, Afrik.
2. ^ CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Election campaigns begin, ex-military candidates dominate. IRIN 28 February 2005.
3. ^ Freedom in the World - Central African Republic (2007). Freedom House, 16 April 2007
4. ^ CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Bozize to contest presidency as an independent candidate. IRIN 13 December 2004.
5. ^ quoted in François Bozizé présente le Kwa Na kwa. 7 September 2009, David Cadasse, Afrik. Le Kwa Na Kwa est un parti travailliste d’obédience sociale démocrate. Son objectif est de mobiliser la population, la conscientiser et d’aller dans le sens du développement, dans le sens de la lutte contre la pauvreté : par le travail. Ce n’est que par le travail que nous pouvons changer la situation que nous connaissons dans le pays. Le Kwa na Kwa est un outil pour combattre la fainéantise, la paresse et le laxisme. C’est un parti différent des autres, dans le sens où ce n’est pas un parti de théories.
6. ^ COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE N°2. CONVERGENCE KWA NA KWA FRANCE EUROPE (2005), Sangonet.com.