EISA Election Update CAR Number 1 July 2010

Contents Political Background

Acronyms 1 Population 4,422,000 (2009 estimates) Political Background 1 Capital Bangui A Short Briefing: Institutional Framework & Total Area 622 984² (240,534 sq miles) Electoral System 3 Major French (official language) and Sango The Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) 4 languages (national language) In the News 6 Monetary unit Central African CFA franc (XAF)

Compiled by Anselme Siakam Nana, EISA [email protected] http://www.eisa.org.za/EISA/publications/cateu.htm The Central African Republic (CAR) is a Acronyms landlocked country in the APRD People’s Army for the Restoration of Democracy central sub-region CAR Central African Republic of the African CEI Independent Electoral Commission continent. It is CFA Franc Communauté Financière Africaine bordered by Chad in the North, Sudan CFC Collective Forces for Change DDR Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration in the East, the Democratic Republic of Electoral Institute for the Sustainability of Congo, Congo Republic and Cameroon EISA Democracy in Africa in the West. FODEM Democratic Forum for Modernity HIPC Heavily Indebted Poor Countries The country has been IMF International Monetary Fund unstable since its KNK Kwa Na Kwa independence from LRA Lord’s Resistance Army France in August 1960 Movement for the Liberation of Central African MLPC People and is one of the National Party for a New Central African PNCN poorest and least Republic PRGF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility The central town of Bangui developed nations in UFVN Union des Forces Vives de la Nation the world (eighteen of the poorest countries by GDP per capita are in

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Africa1). The contemporary history of first round and Ange-Félix Patassé was the CAR is characterised by a series of elected in a runoff in September 1993. authoritarian political regimes and Patassé won a second term in the coups d’état, as well as a notorious presidential elections of 19 September interlude as an empire under Jean-Bedel 1999, held against a backdrop of Bokassa. extreme political tension and the crumbling of the state. As a result, Patassé had to deal with serious social and political turmoil which led to a military coup led by General Francois Bozizé in March 2003. A new constitution was approved by the people of the CAR in its majority through a referendum held on 5 December 2004. Bozizé went on to win the presidential election held in March A view from Bangui: the Obangui River & the DRC and May 2005, which marked the end of The Bokassa era started in December the transitional process. Unfortunately 1965 when the then army colonel the country slid back into conflict when overthrew David Dacko, the country’s insurgence broke out in the Northern first head of state. The brutal Bokassa part. regime ended in 1979 when he was Some progress towards ending the overthrown by Dacko in a comeback conflict was made in 2008, when an all- coup. In September 1981 Dacko was inclusive national political dialogue led ousted for a second time in a coup to an agreement establishing an instigated by General André Kolingba. independent electoral commission and a The military junta introduced national unity government integrating progressively multiparty politics in the rebel groups. However, according to the country, culminating in the organisation committee established in January 2009 of relatively competitive presidential and tasked to monitor the execution of elections in August 1993. Kolingba fared the recommendations of the Dialogue, so poorly that he was eliminated in the the implementation process has been slow with regard to key political recommendations pertaining to the 1 “The Twenty Most Productive Nations in the World”. effective separation of powers and the 24/7 Wall St. http://247wallst.com/2010/06/28/72005/. 6 July 2010.

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establishment of a permanent dialogue criminal groups. The country has also mechanism among political actors. become a sanctuary for armed and foreign rebel groups, including As for the overall security situation, it Uganda’s Lord’s Resistance Army remains generally volatile, with the (LRA). This undermines the authority of persistence of tensions among and the government, which remains within political parties, and insecurity in precarious outside Bangui, the capital the north of the country due to city. continued activities of rebel and

the two candidates who received the A Short Briefing: highest number of votes. Institutional Framework The President can both dissolve the and Electoral System National Assembly and dismiss the Prime Minister at any time. The Prime Minister is appointed by the political Politics in the Central African Republic party enjoying the majority in the takes place in a framework of a semi- National Assembly. presidential system, whereby the The unicameral Parliament is composed President is both head of state and head of 105 members, elected by direct of government, with a separate Prime universal suffrage to serve five-year Minister. Executive power is exercised terms, using the two-round system. In by the government. Legislative power is this system, if no candidate has an vested in both the government and outright majority in the first round, a parliament. run-off is organised for all candidates who have secured at least 10% of the Under the 2004 Constitution, the votes. The candidate who garners the President is elected by direct universal highest number of votes is proclaimed suffrage for a 5-year term of office that winner in the constituency. can be renewed once. For a candidate to be elected President of the Republic, he/she must secure at least 50% plus one of the total votes cast. If no candidate receives an absolute majority of the valid votes in the first round, there is provision for a run-off between National Assembly Building, also home to the CEI offices

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The CAR has a 9-member Constitutional Commission were sworn in on 16 Court (3 appointed by the President, 3 October 2009. by the Speaker of the National The mandate and powers of the CEI are Assembly and 3 magistrates elected by outlined in Chapter III of the Electoral their peers). The term of office for Code. Relevant provisions stipulate judges of the Constitutional Court is 9 inter alia that the CEI is responsible for years. Besides, there is a Supreme Court “the preparation, organisation and made up of judges appointed by the supervision” of elections and President. referendums, in partnership with the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation. The mission is of The Independent Electoral the view that this specific provision Commission (CEI) creates a nebulous relationship between the two structures with regard to the It is worth mentioning that the CEI is effective implementation of election- not provided for in the 2004 related activities and operations. Constitution. The Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) derives from the The current CEI is composed of amended Electoral Code promulgated representatives of all entities of the 2008 on 2 October 2009. President Bozizé all-inclusive political dialogue. Its term signed a decree establishing the CEI on expires 45 days after the announcement 3 October and appointed thereafter the of the final elections results. Since the 30 members of the national coordination CEI is not permanent, there will be a of the CEI, drawn from the six groups problem of institutional memory which that had participated in the inclusive has been a particular feature of the political dialogue of December 2008. debate around the ‘loss’ of archives related to the 2005 voter’s register. The CEI President is presumed to be a neutral personality elected by members The broader view is that the institution of the national coordination, on suffers from a pronounced lack of proposals made jointly by the Speaker expertise and therefore requires of the National Assembly and the Prime thorough training for its members to Minister. This election is approved by acquire the necessary skills for an the President. Pastor Joseph Binguimalé effective management of the electoral was elected as the CEI President on 12 process. Moreover, most stakeholders October 2009 by the national co- highlighted the dysfunctional nature of ordination. All the members of the the current leadership of the CEI, which

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has been brought together from and setting the election date to 25 April different quarters and the challenging 2010 is one of the illustrations. In fact, task of organising the 2010 elections. the CEI President has allegedly There is obviously a lack of produced a report on the status of the communication and consensus between electoral process and submitted this to the various members of the national co- President Bozizé in order for him to set ordination, which has resulted in a kind the election date. None of the other of improvisation when it comes to members of the CEI Bureau and planning and implementing the national co-ordination was consulted in organisation’s activities. the process. President Binguimalé was persistently The structure of the CEI is to some accused by most of the stakeholders, extent cumbersome and that the size of especially the opposition, of being the national co-ordination (31 members) acquainted with President Bozizé and appears to affect its efficiency and the ruling party, taking initiatives and effectiveness. The mission conceded, making decisions without referring to however, that the current composition other members of the CEI Bureau and of the CEI is justified by the efforts national co-ordination from the made to ensure fair and balanced opposition. The controversy around the representation of the different political progress report which formed the basis and social forces in the CAR, following for the decree convening the electorate the 2008 national political dialogue.

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In the News

Elections in Central African involved including the international Republic: From one postponement community are ready, we will go to to another2 polls.” This was said, following a meeting attended by leaders of political His Excellency Francois parties including opposition parties and Bozizé, the CAR the CEI on April 29, 2010. president, said on The head of state then called upon the Thursday Apri l 29, that National Assembly, to “provide for a the presidential and legal framework in the event of any legislative elections in overrun of the presidential term” (which the country scheduled François Bozizé ends June 11) to avoid possible for May 16 were unconstitutionality. postponed. No date for holding the poll has yet been advanced. The postponement followed the The Opposition Satisfied3 announcement of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) declared The opposition coalition, former that they were technically incapable of rebellions and centrist parties of the organizing the vote on time. The Collective Forces for Change (CFC) opposition political parties had were satisfied with the announcement previously threatened to boycott the of the postponement of the elections as elections if they would be held as difficulties have made it impossible for scheduled and were indicated that they the poll to be held on May 16. Reasons were satisfied with the announcement include security concerns, due to the by the President. activism of the rebels such as APRD The presidential candidate and current (People’s Army for the Restoration of President Francois Bozizé of the Central Democracy) and the LRA (Lord’s African announced:”The elections will Resistance Army) respectively active in not be held on May 16. When all parties the central north and the south east of the country and the lack of preparation

2 “Elections in Central African Republic”. Afrik.com. 30 April 2010. 3 “The opposition satisfied”. Afrik.com. 30 April 2010.

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for the 2010 elections. Also, the voter Commission (CEI) must propose a new registers were incomplete three weeks timetable. before the initial planned date of the The National Assembly, considering the election. lack of resources as an impediment for Rigobert Vondo, spokesperson for the the 2010 electoral process as well as CEI, said that “The Commission is now considering the political consensus obliged to say it cannot technically reached at renaissance palace on the deliver within the period provided for tenure of office of the institutions of the organizing elections.” Republic and with regard to the postponement of the elections, The elections were originally scheduled recommended the following: for April 25, 2010 and had to be postponed to May 16. The current presidential term of office ends June 11. Recommendation 1 President Bozizé came to power The resumption of the electoral process following a coup in 2003 and was after the electoral vote of the present formally elected as President after 2005 constitutional law; the development in a election. timely manner, of a precise timetable and a budget to therefore allowing the The National Assembly of CAR continuation of the electoral process; and the proposal of a deadline for the Acts4 organisation of elections decided by In the Central African Republic, the consensus, in accordance with statutory National Assembly debated from deadlines prescribed by the elections Monday, May 3, 2010 a bill to extend the law mandate of the Head of State and that of Recommendation 2 the Members of parliament beyond June The establishment of a forum for 11, to the chagrin of the opposition who dialogue between the government and wanted a political agreement. As the all entities involved in the electoral presidential and legislative elections process after the promulgation by the that were scheduled on May 16 were president of the republic of the postponed, the Independent Electoral constitutional law, to ensure a smooth political climate conducive to the organisation and the success of

elections. 4 UNDP–CAR.

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Recommendation 3 Until the announcement, April 29, the The continuation of lobbying of all the postponement of elections, Bozizé and friends of the Central African Republic former president Ange-Felix Patassé to in order to finalise the electoral was the only candidate for president. budget proposed by the CEI and to conduct the electoral process throughout the end; put in more effort Calls for a ‘Political Agreement’ and diligence in mobilizing resources to Before the Elections 6 complete the electoral process. BANGUI - The opponent Martin Ziguélé and former Minister Cyriaque FODEM Requires a Smooth Gonda, of the presidential majority, Transition without Candidates Tuesday called for a “political Running for President 5 settlement” to the presidential and legislative elections in CAR, following The Democratic Forum for Modernity the enactment of a law to extend the of (FODEM), called upon the Central office of the President and Members of African MPs to introduce a transition parliament. prohibiting the running of the country “The extension of the term of office of to presidential candidates. the president and National Assembly Also according to the statement, “this can only sit through a political proposal has the advantage to appease agreement which establishes the and to have a credible electoral process. agreement of the parties,” said Mr. Thus, the various candidates will devote Ziguélé, former Prime Minister and themselves entirely to their political President of Movement for the activities and electoral propaganda. Liberation of Central African People (MLPC). The date of the presidential and parliamentary elections originally On Monday, the National Assembly scheduled on April 25, has been adopted a constitutional bill to extend postponed to May 16, before being the mandate of President Francois again postponed sine die (indefinitely). Bozizé and 105 members of parliament until the elections are held.

5 “FODEM Requires a Smooth Transition without Candidates Running for President”. l’Independent. 3 May 6 “Calls for a ‘political agreement’ before the elections”. 2010. Cyberpresse. 12 May 2010.

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“This law is unconstitutional,” said Faced with pressure from the Martin Ziguélé. international community, the head of the Central African Republic, Francois “We are still calling the President of the Bozizé, has relented: originally Republic, the partners” and all scheduled April 25 and May 16, the dual stakeholders of the Central African legislative and presidential elections is political landscape “to all meet Bishop postponed until “a date unknown. Who Paulin Pomodimo (Ombudsman of the seized power in a coup in 2003, then Republic) so that we can agree on a elected to lead the country in 2005, political agreement,” said Mr. Ziguélé. military career had not actually have The same request was made by the much choice. former Minister of Communication and former government spokesman, Mid-March, the Steering Committee for Cyriaque Gonda, President of the elections - comprising the major donors: National Party for a new Central Africa European Union, France, USA and (PNCN, presidential majority). United Nations - has argued that nothing was prepared, starting with the “The most important in the current updating of voter lists, while more than situation is a political agreement. A law 300,000 Central Africans are still is superfluous. History is not made by displaced internally, as well as in Chad the National Assembly” on Monday, and Cameroon. Elections necessarily said Mr. Gonda. truncated in advance for the international community, which has Grants versus Elections 7 blocked some of the 9 billion CFA francs (13.7 million Euros) for their Forced to postpone again the organization. And it could have presidential and legislative elections, the jeopardised its financial support head of the State of the Central African necessary not only to economic survival, Republic, Francois Bozizé, was mainly but also to maintain Bozizé as the head feared possible sanctions from foreign of state. donors in case the elections lack The transparency of this election is a credibility. Too dependent on sine qua non requirement of Donors international aid, the regime cannot who perfuse with increasing weariness, afford that risk. this country where the GDP per capita does not exceed $ 350. If development aid and humanitarian operations has 7 “Grants versus Elections”. InfoSud. 21 May 2010.

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increased from 63 million in 2002 to 295 A former minister prevented from million dollars in 2008, last year, which leaving the country8 should focus on the economic recovery of the country, only 225 million dollars in funds been painstakingly mobilized. BANGUI - Central African Ex-Minister, Cyriaque Gonda, was prevented from International support deemed vital leaving the Central African Republic for France where he was to go for family reasons and health, according to a member of his party, the government This strong support from the called it “incident’’. international community has allowed the CAR to reach the completion point Mr. Gonda, president of the National under the initiative and Heavily Party for a new Central Africa Republic Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) in June (PNCN of the presidential majority) 2009. who was initially dismissed from his post as Minister of Communication, “was to go to France on the scheduled The country then received a substantial flight of Air France to join his wife who cancellation of debt owed to Paris Club, had put to birth and to honor an and the total cancellation of the IMF and appointment with his doctor “said World Bank. But the country remains Daniel Nzewi, president of Youth heavily dependent on international PNCN. donors to finance the rehabilitation of transport infrastructure and energy. The After the formalities, the commissioner Facility for Poverty Reduction and of the airport kept his passport and Growth Facility (PRGF) Trust Fund ticket, stating he received orders from (IMF) has been extended until June higher authorities forbidden Gonda to 2010. leave the country. The aircraft left Bangui without him. As the World Bank, its representative in One of the leading opposition leaders, Bangui has just announced a budgetary the former Prime Minister Mr. Martin support of five billion CFA francs to Ziguélé had been also unable to fly from help the country cope with the effects of Bangui to Cotonou, ostensibly as part of financial crisis, “whose first instalment is paid before July.” 8 “A former minister prevented from leaving the country”. The Pantograph. 31 May 2010.

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a “single audit conducted by the Police constitutional bill which authorizes of air and borders.” Francois Bozizé, whose term expires June 11 next, to remain in office until the

next elections. IEC Invited to Propose an Election For him, from the time the law was Timetable9 adopted by the National Assembly and validated by the Constitutional Court, The president of the National Assembly the controversies have no reason to be. of the Central African Republic Celestin “We must now get down to the Leroy Gaombalet, called Saturday the preparation of elections so that they Independent Electoral Commission have in place a better time,” he added. (IEC) to “propose timing as precise as possible to enable the Central African At the request of the IEC which people to have an idea of the length of highlights the lack of funding and the extension of the mandate of the security because of rebel movements President of the Republic and Members within the country, the presidential and of the parliament. legislative elections were postponed indefinitely after having been planned “I want to make the same appeal to for April 23 and May 16 2010. various officials of the Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants (DDR),” he said at François Bozizé between Legality & the close of the first regular session 2010 Legitimacy 10 of the National Assembly Bangui. The debate around legality and legitimacy seems to divide once again, For the latter, “we must indeed avoid the political landscape of CAR. This giving substance to the rumour that other crisis arose due to the inability of President Francois Bozizé has referred the nation and its government to hold the Greek calends elections to stay in elections based on criteria known and power forever,” he said. accepted by all. To sidestep the awful The president of the National Assembly “constitutional vacuum”, the stated that the flagship issue of the government has decided to go to the session is undoubtedly the highest constitutional court in the

9 “IEC Invited to Propose an Election Timetable”. 10 “François Bozizé between Legality & Legitimacy”. Le Afriscoop. July 2010. Confident. July 2010.

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country, which consequently almost tug of war between the people and the “ordered” the National Assembly to ruler, an eternal egalitarian demands. It extend the presidential term. This would then be crossed by regular extension, far from silencing disputes, ellipsoidal unwanted events of unrest, reconciling differences, and closing preventing its progression. There would debates, seems to have generated the be a growing sense of not belonging, of opposite effect. rejection of a portion of the population. This would ultimately be conducive to In fact, the opposition was initially the deepening of the community stunned by the presidential reaction and downturn. […] had made a turn-around, thus in recent weeks promised to challenge the Bozizé is therefore an illegitimate “legitimacy” of the elected President. president. It derives from the above, The tenant of the Renaissance Palace that he cannot simply draw his considers his opponents as people of legitimacy only from institutions even bad faith and claims that the legitimacy legal. Thus, when the Head of State and the legality of his power is drawn used the words “discretion of the Head from “legal institutions”. of State”, some observers are wondering The legitimacy or legality is what the real source of that “power”. interchangeable and these words are far Would it be divine as the head of state from the daily concerns of people of has so clearly stated in his statement, Central African Republic. They are too because in a republic, the power comes dark and complicated to peasants and from the people and the people alone. workers who live in abject poverty. […] Any power deriving from any source other than that given by the people is No government can effectively govern arbitrary. and carry out development projects by using coercion and oppression, The solution is what we call “legitimacy whatever the means at his disposal. In a by association.” It would see the democracy, we remain firmly convinced integration, the combination of part of that the president has to convince his the political class (shelved since 2005) in countrymen without using force. the mechanism of decision making. This A democracy, a nation, a country would naturally result to expand, shrouded in an evil leader elected or broaden the political base of not, even imposed could not function at government and therefore its acceptance its optimum. It will only be the scene of by a wider margin of society. This will perpetual social turmoil, a continued help the nation not to experience agony

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of endless political tensions: A unity This Executive Council, composed of the government. President (outgoing) Francis BOZIZÉ and 4 Vice-Presidents representing the For many Central Africans and opposition, the presidential majority, especially those who exercise power or the national army and the judicial indirectly involved in its exercise, a institutions, will be responsible for the unity government is nothing more than establishment of a Consensus National a political heresy, a societal abnormality. Government and will necessarily This vision often comes because of appoint a new Prime Minister, a differences in political agendas (not a Minister of Defence, a Minister of the bad thing in itself), an alignment of Interior, a Minister of Justice and views could therefore make things more President of the Treasury Committee, feasible. accepted by all.

Charles Massi's Party Proposes the Since June 11, 2010, date of expiry of the Establishment of a Transitional term of President Francois Bozizé, the Political Council as the Solution to Central African Republic has entered a the Crisis11 period of “electoral transition.

Press Release FODEM believes that going to forced The Democratic Forum for Modernity elections on “October 24, 2010,” as (FODEM), a party founded May 4th, stated by the Independent Electoral 1998 by Charles MASSI, placing national Commission (CEI) through its President, unity and cohesion above all partisan Rev. Joseph BINGUIMALE, will not political considerations and considers yield legitimate election results and that only the establishment of an institutions. Executive Council will ensure, as part of a political agreement, the return of a true peace and the holding of presidential and legislative elections to compelling results.

11 “Charles Massi's party proposes the establishment of a transitional political Council as the solution to the crisis”. L'Indépendant. July 2010.

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The Ombudsman of CAR Bishop Opposition Calls New Election Paulin Pomodimo Wants an Easing Calendar “Precipitation”13 in Relations between the Majority and the Opposition Parties12 BANGUI - The Coordinator of the Union des Forces Vives de la Nation The Ombudsman of the (UFVN), Attorney Henry Pouzère, Republic, Archbishop described the proposal to hold elections Paulin Pomodimo, wanted on October 24 as “precipitation”. an atmosphere of calm be established in the relations “The proposal of 24 October for the first between the presidential round of elections is a proposal from majority and opposition Paulin Pomodimo some people’s imagination,” said Henry parties so that peace directs their steps Pouzère following a meeting with the in the completion of the electoral president of the Independent Electoral process, Wednesday, March 2 June 2010, Commission (CEI) on Wednesday in during an audience granted to him by Bangui. the Minister of Communication, Fidele Gouandjika. We have forgotten that the president had stressed on April 29 that nothing Do not listen to extremists, but going in could be decided and done without the direction of appeasement when we approval of the democratic opposition are at peace with ourselves, we manage on one hand, and on the other of the better the affairs of the state, “he added. presidential majority and also the view “I take from this experience that we of the international community. This is have extraordinary men, who can the work that should be done (..)”, he sometimes walk off their position, so continued by adding that the opposition that the country progresses,” said the does not recognize this election Ombudsman of the Republic. calendar. “All over, there are extremists, but our mission as mediator is to rely on people The Chairman of the CEI, Pastor Joseph tolerant vis à vis the other,” said Paulin Binguimalé had invited stakeholders of Pomodimo, the mediator. the electoral process to discuss and see how they could agree on how to conduct elections.

12 “The Ombudsman of CAR Bishop Paulin Pomodimo Wants an Easing in Relations Between the Majority and the 13 “Opposition calls new election calendar ‘precipitation’”. Opposition Parties”. CAR Press. July 2010. Xinhuanet.com. July 2010.

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But for Henry Pouzère so far, no one, grounds for credible and peaceful “the office of the CEI, the entire board, is elections. The Presidential and adequately equipped to say anything Legislative elections have been that might reassure on the evolution of scheduled and rescheduled. The main the electoral process.” contentious point has been the fact that “If the opposition disagrees with the the Independent Electoral Commission date, it has only to propose a date, or to is perceived as “going it alone” in taking propose a timetable. The government decisions which impacted negatively on expects a fixed and urgent date for us to the whole electoral process. This has go straight to elections”, said the been reiterated publicly by stakeholders minister, the government spokesman, who have called for an inclusive, Fidele Gouandjika. participative and credible electoral process in the country. He said the president will not sign the draft decree to approve the final election Stakeholders of the electoral process in date until the funding will be acquired CAR, such as international partners, and “when disarmament which the key voiced their concern on the recurrent lies in the hands of the opposition” is on postponement of the elections and at a track. later stage came out strongly to ensure The presidential and parliamentary their willingness to contribute to elections of the Central African Republic boosting the take-off of the process. had been postponed after having been Lately the EU expressed its readiness to scheduled for April 23 and May 16, allocate funds to the Central African 2010. The CEI has recently proposed a Republic for presidential and legislative new timetable for fixing the date of the elections but asked the Electoral first round of elections on October 24 Commission to act “expeditiously” to and the second round Dec. 19, 2010. hold polls. “The European Union has committed to fund the elections of 2010

in the amount of 6.5 million Euros, or CAR’s Elections: New Real about 4.3 billion FCFA. The funds are Beginning? 14 ready to be disbursed,” a statement said. “Like all Central Africans, we therefore All in all, the overall contextual issue in expect a comprehensive political CAR remains that of establishing agreement and consensus reached between all parties on a timetable and

technical procedures for 14 CAR Government Decree (calling electorate to polls). implementation, and it should find its Government Gazette. 30 July 2010.

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legality and legitimacy in a presidential well. It encompassed all the various decree calling the population to the activities to be carried out at all the polls,” the statement said. stages of the electoral process. The runoff of the elections is scheduled for The EU further insisted that any new March 13, 2011. election has to be confirmed by a presidential decree. “This decree and the election calendar are related to firm and irrevocable commitment of all parties to carry out free, transparent and credible elections. That's what we all want,” the statement added. “It is therefore the responsibility of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) to finalize as soon as possible the schedule and result in an overall political agreement that will sanction a presidential decision to convene the electorate,” the statement said.15

The EU proposes to increase to 9.5 million Euros its contribution “if requested by the government” and if there was a national consensus. The EU noted that the statement is issued following “critical messages and reports in the media against the international community and particularly the European Union” about the funding of these elections. A decree was published on July 30, 2010 by President Bozizé, calling the electorate to polls on January 23, 2010. The Election Calendar was published as

15 “EU ready to fund the electoral process in CAR”. Bangui AFP. 27 July 2010.

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