In the conflict-ridden Central African Republic (CAR), voters have overwhelmingly supported a draft constitution that could pave the way for Faustin Archange Touadera to seek a third term as president, according to the national election authority.
The CAR, one of the world’s poorest and most troubled countries, has grappled with ongoing conflict and political instability since gaining independence from France in 1960.
The proposed constitutional amendments, which have been met with controversy, would extend the presidential term from five to seven years and eliminate the two-term limit.
The referendum on these changes took place on July 30, with a reported voter turnout of 61.10 percent. The provisional results indicated that 95.27 percent voted in favor of the amendments, while 4.73 percent opposed them.
The constitutional court is set to ratify these results, and the outcome is expected to be published on August 27.
Critics of President Touadera, including opposition parties and civil society organizations, have accused him of seeking to consolidate power and potentially remain in office for an extended period.
These concerns have been exacerbated by the presence of the private Russian mercenary group Wagner, which has been increasingly visible since its deployment to the CAR in 2018.
Opposition parties and civil society groups boycotted the referendum, and even armed rebel groups refrained from participating.
The opposition’s grievances revolved around issues such as the absence of an up-to-date electoral register and the perceived lack of independence among institutions responsible for ensuring a fair vote.
Throughout the lead-up to the referendum, government officials faced allegations of exerting pressure on opponents and even employing threats.
An opposition rally was banned in the capital city as a measure to suppress hostility toward the poll. Human Rights Watch documented instances of such actions by authorities.
Amid this backdrop, the referendum’s outcome has drawn skepticism. Crepin Mboli-Goumba, the coordinator of the BRDC opposition coalition, expressed doubt, stating, “It’s a comedy… we’ve all seen that people didn’t go out to vote and it doesn’t reflect the will of the Central African people.”
Touadera, who was first elected in 2016, led the country’s emergence from a civil war marked by sectarian divisions following a coup. Despite multiple challenges, including interruptions by armed rebel groups during the 2020 election, Touadera secured a second five-year term. Allegations of fraud surrounded his victory.
In September 2022, the Constitutional Court nullified the establishment of a committee tasked with drafting the new constitution, a decision that dealt a setback to Touadera’s plans. Subsequent tensions culminated in the forced retirement of the court’s president, Daniele Darlan, in January of the following year.
Notably, since December 2020, the CAR has witnessed the deployment of Wagner fighters and Rwandan troops in response to an offensive by powerful rebel alliances. This development has reshaped the conflict landscape, pushing rebel groups into rural regions.
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