Escalating civil war is the backdrop to the world's worst performing economy in 2013.

Unrest intensified after the ousting of President Francois Bozize in March, the latest in a series of coups that have beset the country since it gained independence from France just over 50 years ago.

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Instability and corruption have prevented the country from drawing more benefit from its natural resources of gold, timber, diamonds and uranium. The economy is projected to have shrunk 14.5% in 2013, though the IMF predicts it will stabilize in 2014.