Central African Republic: Constitution of August 30, 2023. One year later

One year ago today, the President of the Republic promulgated the new Basic Law. After months of demonstrations by pro-power and parts of the democratic opposition, the head of state will call the people to a controversial referendum on July 30, 2023. This comes despite the denunciation of the “violation of the Constitution of March 30, 2016” by the democratic opposition.

According to the final results announced by the Constitutional Court, the votes in favor received more than 95% of the votes, against 4.97%, and the participation rate exceeded 57%. The campaign to achieve this goal was very enthusiastic. It is said that “the new constitution will allow the country to develop rapidly and will give the Central African Republic full sovereignty”. One year later, what do we think of this new basic law? “It is too early to evaluate it now,” responded Evariste Ngamana, spokesman for the United Heart Movement and then national director of the “Yes” referendum campaign.

“She was asked to improve”

“The constitution is dynamic. She is called upon to progress. We are only a year away and obviously we cannot make an exhaustive assessment. This new constitution has confirmed the sovereignty of the Central African Republic. Natural resources are guaranteed and regulated. It has created the conditions for investment and profits to benefit the people.” He said.

However, two new institutions created by the constitution have not yet been established by the government. They are the House of Traditional Chiefs and the Vice-President of the Republic. For its part, the democratic opposition, united in the Republican Bloc for the Defense of the Constitution of March 30, 2016 (BRDC), has held firm and said it does not recognize the new fundamental law. The BRDC says the law divides Central Africans and excludes some from political activity.

Reference is made to certain of its provisions, in particular Article 10, which provides that: “Anyone whose parents themselves have Central African ancestry is of Central African descent. Article 183 tells him: “Only people of Central African origin can be candidates for legislative, regional and municipal elections. Only natives of the country can hold senior civil and military posts. As for Article 67, it mentions that “Presidential candidates must be of Central African origin and have only Central African nationality. This would exclude dual nationals from presidential elections.

The constitution will remain the framework for organizing local elections scheduled for April 2025, and legislative and presidential elections eight months later.

– Also read: Central African Republic: Constitutional Court approves new constitution for referendum