Ousted head of Central African Republic's top court cries foul

Daniele Darlan has been under pressure since the Constitutional Court she led blocked proposed reforms in September that would let President Faustin-Archange Touadera stand for a third term in 2025. Weeks later, the government ordered the 70-year-old to retire by year-end.

The former president of Central African Republic's top court has condemned a decree to replace her prematurely as illegitimate and said it undermined the credibility of the justice system, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Monday. Daniele Darlan has been under pressure since the Constitutional Court she led blocked proposed reforms in September that would let President Faustin-Archange Touadera stand for a third term in 2025.

Weeks later, the government ordered the 70-year-old to retire by year-end. She refused, but a subsequent decree last week revoked her 2017 appointment as head of the court citing a "permanent impediment". The court's vice-president, Jean-Pierre Waboe, temporarily took over Darlan's role on Friday.

Another judge, Trinite Bango Sangafio, was also replaced. In a letter to Touadera dated Friday, Darlan said there was nothing to justify her removal, noting that a "permanent impediment" implied a severe illness, dementia, human rights violations or other issues that would need to be proved.

She said her removal amounted to a violation of the constitution that would have "incalculable consequences on the court's legitimacy and credibility". The government's spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment. A representative of the court, Marc Saint Clair Tchibiti, declined to comment.

Touadera's allies in May proposed the reforms that would alter a constitutional clause saying presidents can only run twice, arguing this was uncommon in neighbouring countries. When a commission was set up to draft the changes, protests broke out before the Constitutional Court ruled it should be abandoned, saying its decision could not be appealed against.

The move is in line with a trend in some parts of Africa that critics see as creeping autocracy. Several African presidents, including in Rwanda, Congo Republic, Ivory Coast and Guinea, have pushed through reforms in recent years to allow themselves to stay in office.

The United States has criticised Darlan's removal and called on authorities to ensure the court's safety and independence.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)