2015 Republic of the Congo constitutional referendum
 |
|---|
 Republic of the Congo portal |
A constitutional referendum is scheduled to be held in Congo-Brazzaville on 25 October 2015 on a proposal to change the constitution, primarily to modify the rules regarding presidential terms.
Background
After a long period of public discussion of the proposed change, it was announced that a referendum would be held, and on 5 October 2015 it was announced that the referendum would be held on 25 October.[1]
Proposed changes
The draft constitution was divided into 246 articles.[2] It would allow a person to be elected as President three times, eliminate an age limit of 70 years for candidates, and reduce the length of presidential terms from seven years to five years. While eliminating the maximum age limit,[1][2] it would reduce the minimum age requirement for candidates from 40 to 30 years.[2] It would also establish the post of Prime Minister as head of government, rather than the President. The changes would allow President Denis Sassou Nguesso, whose second term is due to expire in 2016, to run for re-election.[1][2]
Campaign
The official campaign period for the referendum was scheduled to run from 9 October to 23 October 2015. Speaking at the beginning of the campaign period, Raymond Mboulou, the Minister of the Interior, stressed the importance of campaigning being conducted "in a climate of social peace, a climate of tolerance, of acceptance of different opinions, a climate that excludes provocations ... and which fundamentally preserves the public order."[3]
A large rally in support of the referendum was held in Brazzaville on 10 October. Speaking at the rally, the Secretary-General of the Congolese Party of Labour (PCT), Pierre Ngolo, declared that "this human tide simply wants to say that changing the constitution is the will of the people, and as such no one can stop it."[4]
A protest against the referendum was held in Brazzaville on 20 October. The demonstration had been banned by the government and was dispersed by police. Protesters set up barricades in the streets and attacked police stations. Police fired into the air and used tear gas to break up the protest, and four people were reportedly shot and killed by police during the violence.[5]
Protests continued for a second day in the Makélékélé section of Brazzaville on 21 October, with the protesters again setting up barricades and burning tires. The army was called in and helped police disperse the protesters. Hardline opponents of the referendum planned to boycott the vote, viewing it as nothing more than a way for Sassou Nguesso to remain in power, and said they would continue protesting.[6] Ngolo, on the other hand, argued that it was necessary to change the constitution "for the future of the country, to ensure peace and stability".[7] Meanwhile, François Hollande, the President of France, said that "Sassou can consult his people. That's part of his right and the people must respond."[6]
As the official campaign period drew to a close, the opposition decided not to hold protests on 23 October, and Brazzaville was reportedly calm. Paul-Marie Mpouele, leader of the Republican Front for the Respect of Constitutional Order and Democratic Transition, urged people to oppose the referendum but also refrain from violence. Meanwhile, security forces surrounded the home of Guy Brice Parfait Kolelas, leader of the opposition Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development (MCDDI), who had been involved in the protests earlier in the week.[8]
Voting
When the referendum was held on 25 October, turnout in the cities was reportedly low, although support for the change was apparently overwhelming among those who showed up to vote. Kolelas claimed that people were respecting the opposition's call for a boycott. Voting in Brazzaville, Sassou Nguesso said that "we want change in order to have a constitution of the future", rejecting the opposition's claim that the true purpose of the referendum was to keep him in power. He said that if people opposed changing the constitution they should simply vote against it, not boycott the referendum.[9] "The Congolese are a free and sovereign people", he declared, predicting that the referendum would succeed "because I know that our people love peace."[10]
The vote was held peacefully, without any reports of violence. Turnout reportedly improved as the day progressed and "logistical problems" were resolved. However, Pascal Tsaty Mabiala, the leader of the main opposition party, the Pan-African Union for Social Democracy, argued on 26 October that the referendum was "totally discredited" due to low turnout and that as a result it should be annulled.[11]
References
- ^ a b c "Congo-Brazzaville : la date du référendum constitutionnel fixée au 25 octobre", Jeune Afrique, 5 October 2015 Template:Fr icon.
- ^ a b c d "RFI dévoile le texte du projet de Constitution au Congo", Radio France Internationale, 13 October 2015 Template:Fr icon.
- ^ "Congo gears up to vote on extending veteran leader's rule", Agence France-Presse, 9 October 2015.
- ^ "Supporters of Congo President Sassou Nguesso rally for referendum", Reuters, 10 October 2015.
- ^ "Four killed in protest over plan to extend Congo Republic president's rule", Reuters, 20 October 2015.
- ^ a b "Army disperses anti-government protesters in Congo Republic", Reuters, 21 October 2015.
- ^ Peter Clottey, "Congo opposition to meet Western envoys", Voice of America, 21 October 2015.
- ^ "Calls for dialogue in Congo on eve of tense referendum", Agence France-Presse, 23 October 2015.
- ^ "Turnout fears as Congo votes on leader's bid to extend rule", Agence France-Presse, 25 October 2015.
- ^ Philon Bondenga, "Turnout low as Congo votes on extending presidential term", Reuters, 25 October 2015.
- ^ Philon Bondenga, "Congo referendum should be annulled due to low turnout, opposition says", Reuters, 26 October 2015.
