Cardinal in Central Africa Calls for Peace at Start of Country’s Constitutional Amendment

In the September 15 report, Agenzia Fides notes that although invited, members of the Central African Episcopal Conference (CECA) decided not to participate in the Committee.

In a letter sent to the Presidency of CAR, the Catholic Bishops explained that they would not participate in a constitutional review process that they said was flawed.

“At the current stage of the debate, the Central African Episcopal Conference questions the correctness of the process for the drafting of a new Constitution,” they said, adding that the process lacked the key component of public participation.

“To this end, a broad consultation could indicate beyond any doubt the disposition of the people on the need for this revision. Therefore, the creation of the drafting committee (of the Charter) would be justified following this referendum process,” the Catholic Church leaders said.

They added, “Thanking the President of the Republic for the trust he continues to place in the Catholic Church, the Central African Bishops' Conference declines the invitation to be part of the Committee responsible for drafting the Constitution of the Central African Republic.”

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President Faustin-Archange Touadera on August 12 announced a constitutional referendum to bring amendments to the CAR constitution. The initiative was proposed by the presidential majority in the country’s National Assembly.

Created on August 29, the Committee responsible for drafting a new Constitution is made up of 55 personalities, whose mission is to work on a new fundamental law over the next three months.

CAR has experienced five coups since its independence in 1960, with several changes in the structure of the state. It is now in its sixth Republic, with eight Constitutions. The country has not known peace for more than 25 years.

The majority of the population is under the age of 18, Agenzia Fides notes, adding, “This means that more than half of the population has never known peace.”

Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.