Touadéra caught in his own trap

Ironically, by imposing his 2023 Constitution—ostensibly to eliminate all his opponents—Touadéra ensnared himself. He included a requirement that candidates for elected office must have two Central African parents, yet he was born to an unknown father who was likely not Central African. Consequently, he refuses to apply to himself the very rules he promulgated, effectively turning the country into a lawless banana republic. In contrast, the 2016 Constitution emerged from the Bangui Forum and genuine public consultation; it placed checks on power, limited the presidency to two five-year terms, and prohibited any amendment regarding the number or duration of terms. However, Touadéra opted for an institutional power grab: he dismissed the President of the Constitutional Court and drafted a constitution tailored to his own ends, establishing a seven-year term renewable without limit. Articles 10 and 183 were introduced specifically to disqualify Anicet-Georges Dologuélé on the grounds of dual nationality. Yet, Articles 10 and 183 require holders of elected office to be "Central African by birth" and to hold no other nationality—leaving Touadéra caught in his own trap, as previously explained. If the Central African justice system were to apply Articles 10, 66, 152, and 183 with the same zeal it displayed against Dologuélé, virtually all state institutions would collapse due to constitutional illegitimacy. And what of this "Seventh Republic"—which Touadéra constantly harps on about—imposed in 2023 solely to keep one man at the helm of the state indefinitely? If the 2023 Constitution truly replaces the 2016 one, it must apply fully to everyone, regardless of political affiliation; otherwise, we must stop speaking of the rule of law and acknowledge the existence of a form of rule that is personal, arbitrary, cynical, and deceitful.

Thanks to the LAMINE MÉDIA legal department for their assistance.

Analysis by Annitah Beth DE LACAN | FatimaLAMINEHebdo

For: FatimaLamineHebdo

Date: July 11, 2026

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