[1][2] In 1986, Tiangaye was one of three Central African lawyers selected by the deposed emperor Jean-Bedél Bokassa to defend him at his trial.

[2] After François Bozizé seized power in March 2003, Tiangaye was designated as one of the 98 members of the National Transitional Council (CNT), which was established to act as a transitional legislative body; he was included on the council as a representative of a human rights organization, due to his role as President of the LCDH.

[2] In 2010, Tiangaye was Spokesman of the Forces of Change Collective, which was composed of opposition parties as well as former rebels, at a time when the government was attempting to organize a presidential and parliamentary election.

Speaking on 9 April 2010, Tiangaye declared that the opposition would boycott the election in the absence of a postponement, saying that if the vote was held as planned in May 2010, it would not be credible due to inadequate conditions.

"[11] In December 2012, a coalition of rebel groups called Séléka mounted an offensive against the army and quickly seized control of a large portion of the Central African Republic, threatening Bangui, the capital, and putting the government of President Bozizé in a desperate situation.

Tiangaye declared that there was "hard work" ahead, but also "peace on the horizon"; he said that "the government must address urgently ... the pacification of the country and the restructuring of the army".

[16] The peace agreement unraveled in March 2013, as Séléka resumed seizing towns, accusing Bozizé of failing to keep his promises.

[17] After days of fighting, the rebels captured Bangui on 24 March 2013, forcing Bozizé to flee the country, and Djotodia was declared President.

[2][20] Tiangaye commanded substantial respect among those who opposed Bozizé, political parties and rebels alike, as well as international observers.

[22] Sectarian violence escalated in the months after Séléka took power, and by late 2013 Djotodia faced severe pressure from regional leaders and the international community due to his apparent inability to control the situation.

[24] Under pressure from regional leaders who felt the situation was untenable, Tiangaye and Djotodia both resigned at a summit held in N'Djamena on 10 January 2014.