CAR: Top court rubber-stamps July referendum results

The Central African Republic’s constitutional court has validated the results of July referendum on constitutional amendments which allows incumbent President Faustin Archange Touadéra, in power since 2016, to run for a third term.

Jean-Pierre Waboé, the sitting president of the Court indicated Monday August 21 that the results announced earlier this month by the country’s Electoral body, L’Autorité Nationale des Elections (ANE), are validated.

Mathias Morouba, head of the ANE had indicated that the referendum received 95.27 per cent of votes in favor and 4.73 per cent in objection. The Court put the turnout at 57.23% against 61.10 per cent announced by Morouba.

The new Constitution removes the cap on the two-term basis and will allow Touadera to run in 2025. The new text also extends the term period from five to seven years.

Touadera’s critics, including former President Francois Bozize, rejected the referendum and accused him of wanting to hijack power.

The Central African country slid into civil war in 2013 after Bozize was ousted by turned self-appointed President, Michel Djotodia.