The Central African Republic plans to hold a referendum on Sunday Voters in the Central African Republic will decide on a contentious const...
The Central African Republic plans to hold a referendum on Sunday
Voters in the Central African Republic will decide on a contentious constitutional amendment on Sunday that would allow President Faustin Archange Touadera to serve a third term.
The nation, which is among the most dangerous and impoverished in the world, has been plagued by political unrest and conflict for more than ten years.
With assistance from France and the UN, Touadera was able to hold elections in 2016 after emerging from a civil conflict that had broken out along ethnic lines as a result of a coup.
Even if the rebel groups control a large portion of the country and Touadera is still in charge thanks to Russian soldiers, violence persists there.
Less than one-third of the country's population cast a ballot in the 2020 election, which was marred by charges of fraud and poor turnout in part due to the dangers present in the rebel-held regions. Touadera was re-elected at that time.
In order to be eligible for reelection, the president's term will be extended from five to seven years under the proposed constitutional amendment.