By Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph.D
The President of the Central African Republic, President Faustin-Archange Touadera, has been sworn in today at Bangui, the capital, for a third term in office as the country’s president. Last December, the presidential election in the country saw President Touadera re-elected with over 75% of the valid votes cast. However, the result was contested by the country’s leading opposition figure, George Dologuele, who accused the electoral umpire of rigging.
The swearing-in today was attended by African leaders of Gabon, Congo, Burundi, and Comoros. In his remarks, President Touadera claimed that his government has improved “peace, security, reconciliation, and national unity” in the country. His claim on improved security correlates with various reports that activities of armed gangs in the country have reduced.
Elected in 2016, President Touadera had already spent a decade in office. However, a 2023 constitutional review extended the presidency from two terms to three terms, paving the way for the incumbent president to stand for re-election in 2025.
In many African countries, the legislature is usually under the firm grip of the president; therefore, they often alter their democratic constitutions to pave the way for extended terms of office for incumbent presidents. This practice has continued to undermine confidence in the democratic credentials of many African countries, where elections are seen as a mere formality to coronate the incumbent.
