CAR president gets indefinite terms in power after referendum

The Supreme Court of the Central African Republic has approved the results of the July referendum, which increased the duration of a presidential term to seven years but allowed the president to seek office as many times as they wished.

The court declared that the vote was accepted by an overwhelming majority of 95%, with turnout just above 57%.

The new law establishes the office of the vice-president, selected by the president, as well as a unicameral parliament, setting aside the senate.

It also prohibits dual-citizen politicians from standing for president and raises the number of Supreme Court justices from nine to eleven.

The country’s main opposition parties and civil society organizations have called for a boycott, alleging that the modified law was intended to keep President Faustin-Archange Touadéra in power indefinitely.

They charged the constitutional review committee of taking orders from Russia.

Russian Wagner mercenaries back President Touadéra. Extra fighters had arrived to provide security ahead of the referendum.

Since its independence from France in 1960, the diamond and gold-rich country has been plagued by conflict and political turmoil.