In the Central African Republic, the Constitutional Court proclaimed, on Sunday August 20, the final results of the constitutional referendum of July 30, 2023. It declares a landslide victory for the “Yes” with a slight change in accordance with that of the National Authority of the elections. This new Constitution puts an end to term limits, which gives President Faustin-Archange Touadera the possibility of running for a third term.
3 mins
With our correspondent in Bangui, Rolf Steve Domia-Leu
It is 1:30 p.m. when the President of the Supreme Court announces the final results, in a half-filled room. On one side, the supporters of the “yes” and on the other, a few curious people.
First, the Court took 10 minutes to deliberate on the request of Élysée Nguemalé, a Central African citizen who had requested the cancellation of the referendum operations of July 30. A request that does not respect the Constitution, according to the Court. Then, the president of the institution details the figures from the twenty prefectures of the CAR. The turnout was 57.23%, unlike the 61.10% published by the National Elections Authority. Yes wins 95.3%, No gets 4.93%.
By this reading of the final decision, the Supreme Court declares to “adopt” the draft new Constitution submitted by the government during the referendum of July 30th.
This new Constitution gives President Faustin-Archange Touadéra the possibility of running for a third term. The five-year presidential term, renewable only once, is thus replaced by a seven-year term with no limit on the number of terms. In addition, binationality is also prohibited for those who wish to take part in the various elections in the Central African Republic.
At the end of this hearing, Héritier Doneng, of the presidential majority, does not hide his satisfaction: “The decision of the Constitutional Court crowns the mobilization of the Central African people, for two years, in the streets of Bangui, demanding a new Constitution. Today, the people won, so we are very happy with this victory. The people won the battle. The people who asked for a new Constitution have just obtained it”.
Elysée Nguemalé, a Central African citizen whose request was rejected by the Constitutional Court, says he is disappointed “That’s a wicked decision. The members of the Constitutional Court have just proclaimed, individually and solemnly, their guilt for failure to assist democracy in danger. I am really disappointed. It is a wicked law. This does not conform to our nation. »
“ We will come into resistance »
The opposition, through the Republican Bloc for the Defense of the Constitution which brings together the main leaders of the Central African opposition, says it does not recognize this new text.
” We, as leaders of the opposition, are going to take our responsibilities by using, as always, legal means. For us, the only Constitution in force in the Central African Republic is that of March 30, 2016. Faced with this attempt to bring things into line, we will enter into resistance. We are already in resistance and it is the Constitution of March 30, 2016 which invites resistance when a dictatorship is essential. So we are going to oppose this desire to liquidate democracy in our country “, declared, to RFI, Crépin Mboli-Goumba, Coordinator of the Republican Bloc for the defense of the Constitution.
All eyes are now on President Touadéra who is due to promulgate the new fundamental law in the coming days.
Read alsoConstitutional referendum in the Central African Republic: a vote for a refoundation or for a life presidency?