Central African Republic: a 3rd term for Faustin-Archange Touadéra brings the opposition into the streets
Despite the ban by the authorities, a peaceful demonstration was led by opposition leaders from the CAR, to oppose the constitutional revision which would allow Faustin Archange Touadéra to run for a third term in 2025.
This Friday, July 14, 2023, the BRDC, the bloc which brings together the main leaders of the Central African opposition, took to the streets of Bangui to denounce the draft new Constitution, the content of which has been revealed. “The 3rd term” is a “constitutional coup d’état”, by President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, we can read on the signs of the demonstrators who “demand the departure without delay”, of the mercenaries of the Wagner group of the CAR.
Also read: Central African Republic: Faustin-Archange Touadéra on the path to a “presidency for life”
Remember that the government banned the gathering on Thursday July 13, due to the “ security situation ” and ” subversive character » of the initiative taken by the BRDC. But the opposition still maintained its demonstration slogan. In a press release published Thursday, Martin Ziguele, spokesperson for the BRDC, ensures that he has contacted the authorities on several occasions to supervise the march: according to him, no response has been drawn up, other than the ban made by the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security in a press release published Thursday.
The date of the referendum was set for July 30 by government decree. For its part, supporters of the president are increasing the number of demonstrations to demand this new Constitution. Faustin Archange Touadéra was elected in 2016 and then in 2020. He is accused by the opposition and the rebellion of wanting, with this new constitution, to remain “president for life”.