Central African Republic Charts Its Future with New Constitution

The Central African Republic is on the brink of a new era as it greenlights a constitution wrought from a nationwide referendum. The nation's high court's validation sets the pace for an innovative interpretation of executive power.

President Faustin Archange Touadera’s proposal which ascended to popular approval, crucially, alters the status quo, abolishing term limits for the nation's leader while augmenting the presidential term from five to seven years.

The incoming constitution succeeds the one brought to fruition during Touadera's 2016 inauguration amidst a civil war that consumed the nation, swallowing 80% of it out of state's control.

Analysts speculate these changes may extend the current ruling party’s hold indefinitely. This constitutional revolution has dawned in a nation rich in minerals yet marred by poverty and intercommunal conflict foddered by the 2013 insurgence by predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels.

The rebellion saw former President Francois Bozize ousted, leading to a retaliatory battle drawn on religious lines, where Christian defense militias targeted civilians on the streets.

The United Nations estimates the tumultuous animosity has led to the death of thousands, displacing over a million citizens, a significant blow for fifth of the nation’s population.

Despite a coalition of rebel factions vowing to unrest the referendum process via attacks on polling stations, the constitution's approval was undisrupted, with the Russian Wagner mercenary group credited for safeguarding the proceedings.

Supporters of the president have celebrated the progressive change. "This is a happy outcome, and we will continue to support the actions of the Head of State if they are in the interests of the people," avowed Aurelien Simplice Zinghas, an ally of the ruling party.

However, a recent turn of events saw 73 deputies from the majority party change course, petitioning the Constitutional Court to revise the constitution in response to a dispute regarding national education standards.

The petition was, however, unanimously dismissed by the Court, which under the new constitution will see its body enriched by more presidential appointees. Jean-Pierre Ouaboue, President of the Constitutional Court, revealed a turnout of just over 57 percent voters — a slight deviation from the electoral commission’s initial estimates on Aug. 7.