On Tuesday, the US demanded that the Central African Republic set a date for local elections while also expressing “deep reservations” about the country’s constitutional referendum scheduled for July 30.
“The United States notes with deep reservations reports of low voter participation and concerns over secrecy of the ballot,” the U.S. State Department said in a statement. “We call on the CAR government to announce a date for local elections in which all Central Africans can express their views at the ballot box.”
More than 95% of voters supported the new constitution, according to preliminary referendum results, which could allow President Faustin-Archange Touadera to seek reelection for a third term in 2025.
The results of the referendum held on July 30 were upheld by the country’s constitutional court on Monday, which according to the State Department “undermines the country’s democratic governance.”
Touadera gained reelection in 2020 for what was meant to be his final time in office after being first chosen in 2016 for a five-year term.
The two-term restriction would be eliminated under the new constitution’s proposal, and the president’s term would increase from five to seven years.
A boycott of the vote was demanded by opposition parties and certain civil society organisations, who said it was intended to maintain Touadera in office permanently.
The landlocked nation, which has a population of about 5.5 million and is about the size of France, is abundant in minerals including gold, diamonds, and lumber. Since gaining independence from France in 1960, it has seen waves of instability, including coups and uprisings.
Touadera, 66, has struggled to put an end to rebel factions that have held some territory in the nation. In 2018, he sought assistance from Russia to combat the rebels.