Governance system in Central African Republic – World Countries for Kids

Pervasive insecurity and an absence of state authority can be smelt in much of the country. Whole lot of peace deals between the government and various armed groups have been recurrently breached. Violent assaults against civilians, including sexual violence, are an acute risk in many parts. Independent journalists enjoy almost no support, and workers with NGOs, particularly aid workers, operate at great personal risk.

Electoral Process

The president is chief of state and, as per the new constitution voted on in July 2023 and implemented the subsequent month, is directly elected for a term of maximum seven years. Any limit on the number of terms is not in place. The new constitution also created the post of vice president, appointed by the president, and restricted the eligibility to run for the presidency to individuals with “Central African origins,” excluding Central Africans with dual nationality. This new prerequisite transforms candidate origins into a foundation of political legitimacy.

Faustin-Archange Touadéra has been President of the republic since March 2016. He was re-elected in December 2020 to a second term with 53.1 percent of the vote. This politician and academicwas PM of the republic from January 2008 to January 2013. December 2020 election was inflicted by delays and voter-registration irregularities, and was held subsequent to more than a week of intense fighting outside Bangui. While the government and its international partners labelled the election as credible and legitimate, opposition parties deplored the polls as marred by extensive ballot-box stuffing and vote buying. Many citizens were prevented from voting because of threats and attacks perpetrated by a rebel coalition. There was lack of any international independent observers outside of Bangui. The prime minister is appointed by the president and acts as the head of government. Touadéra appointed Félix Moloua as prime ministerin February 2022 and Moloua is still the PM.

The new constitution adopted in August 2023 also established the National Assembly as the sole chamber. The previous constitution, adopted in 2015, had proposed the creation of a second chamber, but it was never established.As per the new constitution legislators are directly elected to seven-year terms in the 140-seat National Assembly. The first round of legislative elections was held in December 2020 together with the presidential election, and was afflicted by insecurity, voter intimidation, and allegations of fraud. The Constitutional Court nullified some first-round resultsin January 2021, citing electoral irregularities, violence, and intimidation. Another three rounds were conducted to fill the parliament’s seats. The ruling United Hearts Movement (MCU) eventually won 61 seats. No other party could manage to win more than 10. By September 2021 the MCU’s parliamentary group expanded to 86 as legislators defected to its banner. As per the UN reports, that year’s polls were faulty but turnout was high and the elections were largely peaceful.