New constitution approved in the Central African Republic; Touadera could run for a third term

 New constitution approved in the Central African Republic; Touadera could run for a third term

Touadera's opponents claim he wants to be "president for life" - with the increasingly evident protection of private Russian mercenary outfit Wagner, which first deployed to the Central African Republic in 2018.

According to National Election Authority president Mathias Morouba, voters in the July 30 referendum cast 95.27 percent of their ballots in favor and 4.73 percent against, with a turnout of 61.10 percent.

The presidential tenure would be increased from five to seven years under the new constitution, and the two-term limit would be eliminated.

There are no longer any impediments to the 66-year-old president running for a third term in 2025. If elected, he may be in charge for the next 16 years.

The main opposition parties and civil society organizations, as well as armed rebel groups, boycotted the vote.

The opposition lamented the lack of an up-to-date electoral register and said that the institutions tasked with ensuring a free and fair vote were not autonomous.

According to Human Rights Watch, government officials have cajoled and threatened referendum opponents, and authorities have also prohibited an opposition gathering in the capital to keep tensions low.