https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230711/car-president-touadera-presents-draft-constitution-in-run-up-to-referendum-1060462659.html
CAR President Touadera Presents Draft Constitution in Run-Up to Referendum
CAR President Touadera Presents Draft Constitution in Run-Up to Referendum
Sputnik Africa
The people of the Central African Republic (CAR) will go to the polls on July 30 to vote on a new Carta Magna. The draft has been strongly criticized by the... 11.07.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-07-11T11:31+0200
2023-07-11T11:31+0200
2023-08-03T10:47+0200
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President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadera has presented the new draft Constitution to campaign organizers ahead of the referendum scheduled to take place at the end of the month, media has reported. Campaigning for the referendum will begin on July 15 and end on July 28, and voting on the adoption of the new constitution to replace that of 2015 will take place on July 30 from 6 am to 4 pm (local time), according to the presidential decree. According to Touadera, the referendum is part of a "profound reform of the State" that is expected to advance the nation's values, and allow "young democracy to be more dynamic" by improving the functioning of institutions "with greater emphasis on transparency and accountability."If approved, the Constitution will remove the two-term limit on the presidency, allowing the country's leader to run for a third term in 2025. The 2015 Magna Carta prohibits him from doing so through article 35 which states that "in no case may the President of the Republic exercise more than two consecutive mandates or extend it for any reason." Critics and opposition parties claimed that Touadera's advocacy of the draft Constitution is part of his attempts to stay in power for as long as possible and "remain president for life." In September, Touadera formed a commission to draft the proposed amendments to the constitution. However, the country’s top court questioned the committee's constitutional legitimacy and annulled it. In January, the president dismissed the country's top judge, Daniele Darlan in what critics call a "constitutional coup d’etat."Many high-profile officials expressed their support for the draft Constitution, stating that the previous ones were the result of military-political crises imposed on the nation. Thus, they stress, it was necessary to introduce amendments that would reflect the country's interests and aspirations.Touadera was first elected in 2016, securing victory in the second round with 62.7% of the vote against 37.3% for his opponent, Anicet-Georges Dologuele. In 2020, the president was re-elected as head of the Central African Republic.
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CAR President Touadera Presents Draft Constitution in Run-Up to Referendum
11:31 11.07.2023 (Updated: 10:47 03.08.2023) The people of the Central African Republic (CAR) will go to the polls on July 30 to vote on a new Carta Magna. The draft has been strongly criticized by the country's opposition, which claims that it aims to keep the current leader in power indefinitely.
President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadera has presented the new draft Constitution to campaign organizers ahead of the referendum scheduled to take place at the end of the month, media has reported.
Campaigning for the referendum will begin on July 15 and end on July 28, and voting on the adoption of the new constitution to replace that of 2015 will take place on July 30 from 6 am to 4 pm (local time), according to the presidential decree.
"The opinion of my people is the most important element that will determine the future of our dear Central African Republic," he said, announcing his decision to submit to the referendum the draft of a new Constitution."
According to Touadera, the referendum is part of a "profound reform of the State" that is expected to advance the nation's values, and allow "young democracy to be more
dynamic" by improving the functioning of institutions "with greater emphasis on transparency and accountability."
If approved, the Constitution will remove the two-term limit on the presidency, allowing the country's leader to run for a third term in 2025. The 2015 Magna Carta prohibits him from doing so through article 35 which states that "in no case may the President of the Republic exercise more than two consecutive mandates or extend it for any reason."
Critics and opposition parties claimed that Touadera's advocacy of the draft Constitution is part of his attempts to stay in power for as long as possible and "remain president for life."
In September, Touadera formed a commission to draft the proposed amendments to the constitution. However, the country’s top court questioned the committee's constitutional legitimacy and annulled it. In January, the president dismissed the country's top judge, Daniele Darlan in what critics call a "constitutional coup d’etat."
"There won’t be a third term, but the count will be set back to zero, so anyone can seek a new term, including Touadera if he wants," the president’s main adviser, Fidele Gouandjika, has told media.
Many high-profile officials expressed their
support for the draft Constitution, stating that the previous ones were the result of military-political crises imposed on the nation. Thus, they stress, it was necessary to introduce amendments that would reflect the country's interests and aspirations.
"We have always had Constitutions imposed on us by historical contingencies. In other words, they come from outside, they are imposed on us, including the regimes," said Aristide Reboas, minister for youth and sport.
Touadera was first elected in 2016, securing victory in the second round with 62.7% of the vote against 37.3% for his opponent, Anicet-Georges Dologuele. In 2020, the president was re-elected as head of the Central African Republic.
