2023 Central African constitutional referendum explained

Country:Central African Republic
Date:30 July 2023
Yes:960660
No:50235
Invalid:52580
Electorate:775170

A constitutional referendum was held in the Central African Republic on 30 July 2023.[1] [2]

Background

Incumbent president Faustin-Archange Touadéra's party, the United Hearts Movement, proposed abolishing term limits in 2022, arguing that presidential term limits were uncommon in many neighboring countries. Critics and opposition parties held protests as the reform would allow president Touadéra to run again in 2025 for a third term. President Touadéra installed a 55-member commission (all appointed by him) to draft the proposed changes in August. However, the Constitutional Court ruled the committee unconstitutional and annulled it, stating that a constitutional reform process could not be triggered without consent from the Senate, which at the time had still not been established according to the 2015 constitution.[3] Touadéra responded by sacking the head of the Constitutional Court, illegal under the 2015 constitution,[4] which opposition parties saw as a self coup.[5] [6] The head of the court, Danièle Darlan, alleged that she had been approached earlier that year by the chargé d'affaires of the Russian Embassy, Bangui, who asked her how they could ensure Touadéra remained in power.[7]

President Touadéra announced in May 2023 he would hold a referendum on 30 July to change the constitution. This has reportedly been divisive,[8] and the surrounding situation in the country has been volatile.[9] The text of the new constitution was not made public until 10 July, less than three weeks before the vote.[10] Additionally, the official preparations for the referendum occurred shortly before a temporary recall of some members of the Wagner Group, who had been assisting in securing several regions of the country, following their rebellion in June.[11]

Changes

Results

Provisional results released by the government on 6 August stated that the referendum was approved by over 95% of those voting, with a turnout of around 60%. These figures were contested by the opposition, which boycotted the referendum, with the opposition estimating actual turnout as below 15%. Some opposition figures also claimed that "no" ballots were not present at several polling stations.[17] The Constitutional Court validated the results of the referendum on 20 August.[18] [19]

Reactions

The United States State Department issued a press release through spokesperson Matthew Miller, stating that "[t]he United States notes with deep reservations reports of low voter participation and concerns over secrecy of the ballot. Free and fair elections, with inclusive electoral processes are essential for any democracy." The State Department further called on the Central African Republic's government to issue a date for local elections.[20]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 31 May 2023 . CAR to hold referendum on abolishing presidential term limits . 27 June 2023 . www.aljazeera.com . en.
  2. News: 2023-07-30 . Central African Republic holds referendum that could extend Touadera's rule . en . Reuters . 2023-08-02.
  3. Web site: 2022-09-23 . Centrafrique: un comité de rédaction d'une nouvelle Constitution invalidé par la Cour constitutionnelle . 2023-08-08 . RFI . fr.
  4. Web site: 2022-10-19 . RCA: la présidente de la Cour constitutionnelle conteste sa mise à la retraite . 2023-08-08 . RFI . fr.
  5. Web site: 2022-10-31 . In Central African Republic, government removes two constitutional court judges after judgment seen as blocking president's plans to bypass term limits . 2023-06-01 . Reuters . en . ConstitutionNet.
  6. Web site: 2023-06-05 . République centrafricaine : Le référendum présente des risques . 2023-08-02 . Human Rights Watch . fr.
  7. News: 2023-07-31 . Centrafrique : Danièle Darlan, la juge qui a dit non au président Touadéra . fr . Le Monde.fr . 2023-08-08.
  8. Web site: 2023-07-30 . Constitutional referendum to remove presidential term limits divides Central African Republic . 2023-08-03 . AP News . en.
  9. Web site: As Situation Remains Fragile in Central African Republic, Local Elections Crucial for Broadening Political Space, Special Representative Tell Security Council . 2023-08-03 . UN Press.
  10. Web site: 2023-07-10 . Centrafrique: le projet de nouvelle Constitution franchit une nouvelle étape . 2023-08-08 . RFI . fr.
  11. Web site: 2023-07-11 . Revue de presse Afrique - À la Une: un projet de nouvelle Constitution taillé sur mesure en Centrafrique . 2023-08-08 . RFI . fr.
  12. Web site: 2023-07-11 . Revue de presse Afrique - À la Une: un projet de nouvelle Constitution taillé sur mesure en Centrafrique . 2023-08-08 . RFI . fr.
  13. Web site: Centrafrique : marche de protestation de l'opposition contre le référendum constitutionnel . 2023-08-08 . www.radiondekeluka.org . 14 July 2023 . fr-fr.
  14. Web site: 2023-07-29 . Référendum constitutionnel en Centrafrique: un vote pour une refondation ou pour une présidence à vie? . 2023-08-08 . RFI . fr.
  15. Web site: 2023-07-29 . Projet de Constitution en Centrafrique, la démocratie menacée . 2023-08-08 . Jeune Afrique . fr-FR.
  16. Web site: 2023-08-01 . VIDÉO. Centrafrique : quel est le contenu de la réforme constitutionnelle ? . 2023-08-08 . TV5MONDE . fr.
  17. Web site: Olivier . Mathieu . 2023-08-07 . En Centrafrique, Faustin-Archange Touadéra s'ouvre la voie vers un nouveau mandat . 2023-08-07 . Jeune Afrique . fr-FR.
  18. Web site: Centrafrique: La Cour constitutionnelle valide la victoire du «OUI» au référendum constitutionnel . 21 August 2023 .
  19. Web site: Central African Republic's top court confirms constitutional referendum results . . 24 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230823095417/https://www.africanews.com/2023/08/22/central-african-republics-top-court-confirms-constitutional-referendum-results/ . 23 August 2023 . 22 August 2023.
  20. Web site: The Central African Republic's Constitutional Referendum . . 24 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230823183636/https://www.state.gov/the-central-african-republics-constitutional-referendum/ . 23 August 2023 . 22 August 2023 . live.

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