Latest news with #UnitedHeartsMovement
DW
15 hours ago
- Politics
- DW
Central African Republic's president eyes third term – DW – 07/29/2025
As President Faustin-Archange Touadera confirms a third-term bid amid constitutional controversy, the opposition fears he could stay in power for life. President Faustin-Archange Touadéra's promise to rebuild the country and his nomination for the Presidency by his United Hearts Movement (MCU) comes as distrust in the government of the Central African Republic (CAR) grows. A controversial referendum held in 2023 saw a large majority voted for constitutional changes. Now, the opposition and civil society organizations fear 68-year-old Touadéra could stay in power for life. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The electoral commission said 95% of those that took part in the referendum voted for changes that enabled the president to run for a third term. The new law abolished the two-term limit and extended the presidential mandate from five to seven years. But opposition and civil society organizations boycotted the referendum, accusing the government of fraud. Opposition politicians do not recognize Touadéra's legitimacy, while civil society fears the integrity of the 2025 election is already compromised. The Arc-En-Ciel (Rainbow) network, which is observing the elections in the CAR, has raised concerns about the absence of data from 754 registration centers out of the 3,919 legally established by the National Electoral Authority (ANE). Numerous irregularities have been flagged in the ANE's provisional electoral lists, and it is feared no financing will come from the international community if the elections already lack credibility. Yao Agbetsé, a United Nations researcher and human rights lawyer, expressed as much in his latest report. "Despite multiform support provided by national authorities and technical and financial partners to the ANE, persistent internal dysfunction has hampered its effectiveness, compromising the running of the electoral timetable," he said, adding that electoral registers are "unlikely" to finalized in time. Over the weekend, the ruling party's congress took place. Simultaneously, the opposition, united under the Republican Bloc for the Defense of the Constitution (BRDC), held a rally to demand President Touadéra engage with them about the elections. Spokesperson Martin Ziguélé told DW: "We have rallied our activists around the BRDC's constant demand for a national political dialogue before discussing the electoral process again." He added: "We cannot accept a political party that sees itself as the only party. We are not a one-party state; we are a democracy. And we intend to fight to the last breath to ensure that the achievements of democracy and the Republic are respected." Since taking office in 2016, Touadéra has enlisted outside forces to stay in power amid persistent civil conflict. This includes mercenaries from the Russia's Wagner group,which helped him secure power in 2018. He won re-election in 2020, but faced strong opposition from rebel groups who sought to overturn his victory. Landlocked Central African Republic is roughly the size of France and with a population of around 5.5 million. But despite possessing resources in gold, diamonds and timber, the nation remains impoverished. It has also endured waves of instability, including coups and rebellions, since independence from France in 1960. For Evariste Ngamana, vice president of the National Assembly and spokesperson for the MCU, President Touadéra's record speaks in favor of his candidacy, telling reporters: "He has made efforts to restore security, peace, and economic recovery. We believe that it is truly appropriate to give him this opportunity to represent us in the presidential elections." While the opposition criticizes the president's grip of power, Touadéra's party is convinced it has the resources to win the December elections in the first round. If his candidacy is validated and he is elected, Touadéra would lead his country for seven renewable years. While Prime Minister Félix Moloua has announced that local and general elections will be held simultaneously, the MCU party did not nominate any candidates for the local elections at its congress, raising questions about the effectiveness of the elections as a whole. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Central African Republic's Touadera announces bid for third term
FILE PHOTO: Central African Republic's President Faustin-Archange Touadera arrives before a dinner with several heads of state and government and leaders of international organisations at the Elysee Palace, as part of the 19th Francophonie Summit, in Paris, France, October 4, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo BANGUI (Reuters) -Central African Republic's President Faustin-Archange Touadera said on Saturday he will run for a third term later this year, seeking to extend his rule into a second decade after scrapping term limits in 2023. "Many of you have asked for me, and my answer is yes. I am your candidate for the presidential election of December 2025," the 68-year-old said at a meeting of his party, the United Hearts Movement, in the capital Bangui. "We will continue the work of rebuilding our country." Since taking office in 2016, Touadera has enlisted outside forces to stay in power amid a persistent civil conflict, including mercenaries from Russia's Wagner militia, who intervened in 2018 on the side of the government. Landlocked Central African Republic, roughly the size of France and with a population of around 5.5 million, is deeply impoverished despite being rich in resources including gold, diamonds and timber. It has witnessed waves of instability, including coups and rebellions, since independence from France in 1960. Touadera won a second term in 2020, though militants including the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) have fought to overturn that result. The army, backed by United Nations peacekeepers and Russian and Rwandan troops, has been fighting the group for years. Touadera's current term was supposed to be his last, but in 2023 the country held a constitutional referendum that abolished the two-term limit and extended the presidential mandate from five to seven years. Opposition parties and civil society groups have said the new constitution, which was backed by more than 95% of voters, could allow Touadera to stay in power for life. The exact date of the December vote has not been announced. (Reporting by Pacome Pabandji; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian and Ayen Deng Bior; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet and Jan Harvey)
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Central African Republic's Touadera announces bid for third term
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: Central African Republic's President Faustin-Archange Touadera arrives before a dinner with several heads of state and government and leaders of international organisations at the Elysee Palace, as part of the 19th Francophonie Summit, in Paris, France, October 4, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo BANGUI - Central African Republic's President Faustin-Archange Touadera said on Saturday he will run for a third term later this year, seeking to extend his rule into a second decade after scrapping term limits in 2023. "Many of you have asked for me, and my answer is yes. I am your candidate for the presidential election of December 2025," the 68-year-old said at a meeting of his party, the United Hearts Movement, in the capital Bangui. "We will continue the work of rebuilding our country." Since taking office in 2016, Touadera has enlisted outside forces to stay in power amid a persistent civil conflict, including mercenaries from Russia's Wagner militia, who intervened in 2018 on the side of the government. Landlocked Central African Republic, roughly the size of France and with a population of around 5.5 million, is deeply impoverished despite being rich in resources including gold, diamonds and timber. It has witnessed waves of instability, including coups and rebellions, since independence from France in 1960. Touadera won a second term in 2020, though militants including the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) have fought to overturn that result. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Woman taken to hospital after car falls into sinkhole on Tanjong Katong Road Singapore Students hide vapes in underwear, toilet roll holders: S'pore schools grapple with vaping scourge Singapore 'I've tried everything': Mum helpless as son's Kpod addiction spirals out of control Singapore NDP 2025: How Benjamin Kheng is whisked from Marina Bay to Padang in 10 minutes by boat, buggy Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 HDB flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Singapore From libraries to living rooms: How reading habits take root in underserved S'pore children Asia Thai-Cambodia clashes spread along frontier as death toll rises Asia Thousands rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur for resignation of PM Anwar The army, backed by United Nations peacekeepers and Russian and Rwandan troops, has been fighting the group for years. Touadera's current term was supposed to be his last, but in 2023 the country held a constitutional referendum that abolished the two-term limit and extended the presidential mandate from five to seven years. Opposition parties and civil society groups have said the new constitution, which was backed by more than 95% of voters, could allow Touadera to stay in power for life. The exact date of the December vote has not been announced. REUTERS
Reuters
4 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Central African Republic's Touadera announces bid for third term
BANGUI, July 26 (Reuters) - Central African Republic's President Faustin-Archange Touadera said on Saturday he will run for a third term later this year, seeking to extend his rule into a second decade after scrapping term limits in 2023. "Many of you have asked for me, and my answer is yes. I am your candidate for the presidential election of December 2025," the 68-year-old said at a meeting of his party, the United Hearts Movement, in the capital Bangui. "We will continue the work of rebuilding our country." Since taking office in 2016, Touadera has enlisted outside forces to stay in power amid a persistent civil conflict, including mercenaries from Russia's Wagner militia, who intervened in 2018 on the side of the government. Landlocked Central African Republic, roughly the size of France and with a population of around 5.5 million, is deeply impoverished despite being rich in resources including gold, diamonds and timber. It has witnessed waves of instability, including coups and rebellions, since independence from France in 1960. Touadera won a second term in 2020, though militants including the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) have fought to overturn that result. The army, backed by United Nations peacekeepers and Russian and Rwandan troops, has been fighting the group for years. Touadera's current term was supposed to be his last, but in 2023 the country held a constitutional referendum that abolished the two-term limit and extended the presidential mandate from five to seven years. Opposition parties and civil society groups have said the new constitution, which was backed by more than 95% of voters, could allow Touadera to stay in power for life. The exact date of the December vote has not been announced.
