The president the Central African Republic, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, has said that his country will hold a constitutional referendum in July that would potentially allow him to seek re-election in 2025.
In an address to the nation on Tuesday, President Touadéra said he had consulted the Speaker of the national assembly and the president of the constitutional court before announcing the plan for a referendum.
Mr Touadéra said he had decided “to submit this project for a new constitution to a referendum”.
The current constitution contained “provisions that could compromise [CAR’s] development”, but he added that he was committed to allowing a political transition.
Plans to scrap term limits have been debated since last year, with opposition parties arguing it just a move to allow Mr Touadéra to run for a third term.
The 66-year-old was elected president in 2016 as the country was emerging from a civil war that followed the overthrow of former President Francois Bozizé in 2013.
He was re-elected in 2020, despite widespread accusations of electoral flaws.
The BBC News
