Introduction
The Central African Republic (CAR) is set to hold general elections in December 2025, following a controversial constitutional referendum in July 2023. The referendum, which passed with 95.3% approval amid opposition boycotts, removed presidential term limits and extended terms from five to seven years. President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who initiated these constitutional changes, is expected to run for another term despite previous term limits. As previously reported by CIVICUS Monitor, the referendum process was marred by human rights concerns, including restrictions on freedom of assembly and bans on protests. As the elections approach, the political landscape is characterised by increasing restrictions on opposition parties, civil society, and media, raising significant concerns about the fairness and transparency of the upcoming electoral process.
Between 17th and 27th February 2025, Yao Agbetse, the United Nations Independent Expert on the human rights situation in CAR, conducted an official visit to Bangui. During his visit, the expert expressed satisfaction with the human rights defenders’ protection law passed on 27th December and urged for its enactment.
In Agbetse’s subsequent report on the human rights situation in CAR, Agbetse expressed concerns about a new press law adopted on 26th May 2025 which included provisions deemed harmful to press freedom, such as criminal penalties for defamation and insult. The report highlights the ban and suppression of several peaceful demonstrations by civil society, the arrest of human rights defenders (HRDs) during a march on 26th June 2025, the arrest of media professionals, and the vandalism of a newspaper’s premises, emphasising the risks faced by the media. The Expert urged the government to refrain from any measures that restricted civic space.
ASSOCIATION
CAR adopts law on the protection of HRDs
On 27th December 2024 in Bangui, the National Assembly passed legislation aimed at protecting human rights defenders (HRDs). The new law provides enhanced protection for HRDs, including security mechanisms, legal support, and guarantees against reprisals. The law aims to enhance civic space and ensure participatory democracy, and to promote freedom of expression, association, assembly, and peaceful demonstration.
Proposed ‘Foreign Agents’ Law in CAR threatens NGO operations and civil liberties
On 25th October 2024, the CAR National Assembly considered adopting a controversial “foreign agents” law, modelled after a similar Russian law. The Draft Bill defines a foreign agent as a national of CAR or any country receiving “support or assistance from a foreign source.” The draft bill targets individuals involved in politics, collecting technical or military information or spreading “insurrectional messages.” The bill would require individuals and organisations receiving foreign support to register on a public list and face increased surveillance, with some activities prohibited. It also requires so-called foreign agents including “those in diplomatic and consular posts” to register with the authorities and report back every six months on their accounting programmes and “national media activities.”
The government argues that the Foreign Agents Law is necessary to protect national sovereignty by increasing transparency and accountability of foreign entities operating within CAR.
Civil society actors are strongly opposing this legislation, arguing that it could lead to the closure of independent associations and media outlets. They contend that this may potentially restrict freedom of expression, association, and assembly by treating organisations with foreign funding as potential spies and subjecting them to constant state scrutiny and oversight.
According to a report by the UN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in CAR, while purportedly based on legitimate national security imperatives, the bill would restrict the operational scope of NGOs, creating a climate of mistrust and defiance. The UN Independent Expert warns that this legislation, if passed, would limit fundamental freedoms of expression and association, which are guaranteed under the CAR’s 2023 Constitution. The UN expert called on the CAR authorities to abandon this legislative initiative altogether.
PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY
Seven civil society activists arrested during memorial event [HRD detained]
On 27th June 2025 in Bangui, the police arrested seven activists during a night vigil organised by the Civil Society Working Group (Groupe de travail de la société civile, GTSC). The event was held to commemorate students who lost their lives in a tragic explosion at Barthelemy Boganda High School, which had triggered a stampede involving 5,000 students, resulting in over 20 deaths and at least 250 injuries. The vigil also aimed to raise awareness about the tragedy and call for accountability for victims of the stampede. The government’s refusal to authorise the gathering, citing an existing ban on public protests, resulted in the arrest of the seven activists.
During the arrest, police reportedly beat some of the participants. Human Rights Watch criticised the government’s actions, calling for a transparent investigation into the school explosion and condemning the targeting of individuals seeking accountability for the tragic incident. The seven activists were released following the intervention of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra.
Opposition march proceeds peacefully in Bangui despite initial ban
On 4th April 2025 in Bangui, the Bloc Républicain pour la Défense de la Constitution (BRDC), a democratic opposition platform led by Mboli-Goumba, organised a peaceful protest against the administration of President Faustin-Archange. Specifically, the platform demanded that the government provide the population with access to basic social services, and to express opposition to a third term for the sitting President. On 24th March 2025, the Minister of Interior, Michel Nicaise Nassin, refused permission for the march. Citing a directive from July 2022, the Minister refused the march request for alleged public safety concerns. Nevertheless, according to online sources, following the President’s directive, on 26th March, the Minister of the Interior reversed his decision, allowing the opposition’s march to proceed on 4th April. No major incident was recorded.
Student shot in school protest
On 11th February 2025, in the Bégoua municipality of Bangui, students from the lycée de Gbaloko organised a peaceful protest to express their dissatisfaction with what they call the exploitative education system. Their primary grievances centered around the excessive fees charged for various activities, including physical education and sports (EPS), along with numerous other charges throughout the academic year. The protest began with students confining the headmaster to his office for the day. When law enforcement officers arrived at the scene, they reportedly fired live ammunition in an attempt to disperse the students, resulting in one pupil being injured by a bullet. Following this incident, a government representative was dispatched to the school to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the dispute between the students and the school administration.
March for and against President Faustin-Archange’s third term bid
On 19th January 2025, hundreds of people participated in a peaceful march in Bangui, organised by the pro-government “Coalition Touadéra 2025”, calling on President Faustin-Archange Touadéra to run for a third term in the December 2025 presidential election. The march, which was monitored by police, proceeded from the United Nations monument to the Martyrs’ Square, with participants chattering support for Touadéra’s leadership. While the current constitution allows Touadéra to seek another term, the opposition called for political dialogue before participating in the upcoming elections, a request rejected by the presidency.
Meanwhile, on 4th April 2025, approximately 5,000 protesters gathered in Bangui to protest against Touadéra’s potential third-term bid. This opposition-led protest, organised by the Republican Bloc for the Defence of the Constitution (BRDC), was one of the largest in recent years. Demonstrators voiced concerns over the 2023 constitutional referendum that could allow indefinite rule for President Faustin-Archange.
UN peacekeepers protest ‘unfair dismissals’ in Bangui
On 5th June 2025, approximately 100 daily technicians from the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission (Minusca) in Bangui staged a protest in front of the UN headquarters. The demonstrators, armed with pots, banners, and whistles, blocked traffic for hours, denouncing what they claim are unfair and fraudulent dismissals by Minusca’s human resources management. The protesters, who have worked for the mission for up to eight years, demanded compensation and employment certificates in accordance with Central African law. However, Minusca’s interim spokesperson, Joël Ndoli Pierre, stated that the dismissals were in line with UN regulations and resulted from rigorous and fair human resource management practices.
Opposition rally in Bangui disrupted
On 31st May 2025 in Bangui, a group of young people forcefully disrupted an authorised opposition rally organised by the Bloc Républicain pour la Défense de la Constitution (BRDC). The opposition coalition had planned to hold the event in the UCATEX field, but access was blocked by youth engaged in a football match there. The rally, intended to protest against poor living conditions and governance, turned violent as the football match supporters physically attacked BRDC militants and pelted their vehicles with stones. The BRDC coordinator, Crépin Mboli-Goumba accused the ruling Mouvement Cœurs Unis (MCU) party of orchestrating the disruption and reported that two of their members were injured and hospitalised. The BRDC asserted that they had complied with all legal requirements, including notifying authorities and Minusca in advance, and condemned the cancellation as a breach of freedom of expression and a setback for democracy. This interference hindered the opposition's ability to gather and voice their concerns.
Opposition meeting in Bangui forcibly disrupted by law enforcement
On 23rd March 2025 in PK13 neighbourhood in Bangui, law enforcement officers abruptly disrupted a private meeting organised by opposition figure Anicet Georges Dologuélé at a venue owned by one of his supporters. This meeting was intended to rally supporters to discuss ongoing political and social issues in CAR. The officers disconnected the microphones and dismantled the audio equipment, pulling out cables and silencing the loudspeakers, effectively bringing the meeting to an end.
Central African lawyers protest over ethical breaches and working conditions
On 2nd September 2025, lawyers from the Central African Bar Association renewed their determination to stage a peaceful protest against breaches of ethical rules by Judicial Police Officers and political authorities. The strike also aims to address concerns over their working conditions and assert their professional rights. Key demands include implementing a circular signed by the Minister of State for Justice to address obstacles in their practice and establish an emergency hotline for immediate support. Lawyer Jean Louis Opalegna, president of the association, cited frustration over unfulfilled promises from judicial authorities as a primary motivation for the protest.
The CABA temporarily suspended their strike action following a meeting with President Faustin Archange Touadéra.
EXPRESSION
Journalist arrested
On 8th May 2025, in Bangui, an armed man in civilian clothes acting on the orders of the Public Prosecutor arrested journalist Landry Ulrich Nguéma Ngokpélé, editor of the privately owned newspaper, Le Quotidien de Bangui. This arrest was connected to a 22nd April report in Le Quotidien de Bangui Newspaper about the alleged return of former President François Bozizé to Bangui. Ngokpélé was detained at the Section d’investigation et des recherches. On 14th May, an investigative judge transferred Ngokpélé to Ngaragba prison, and on 19th May, charged Ngokpélé with complicity in rebellion, spreading information likely to disturb public order, inciting hatred and revolt, and subversion against the constitution and the state. Bozizé was wanted by the International Criminal Court and was sentenced in absentia to life in prison in 2023 for setting up a rebel group in 2020. The Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have called for Ngokpélé’s immediate release, with the CPJ arguing that the case should fall under press law rather than the penal code.
It should be recalled that on 4th October 2021, the police had arrested and detained Ngokpélé in Bangui for more than two months for alleged complicity with the rebel group Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), association with criminals, defamation, insult, and making slanderous accusations.
New press law adopted
On 26th May 2025, the National Assembly of the CAR adopted a new law on freedom of communication and the press, sparking concerns among media professionals who view it as an attempt to muzzle the press.
The law aims to modernise the legal framework for communications and press freedom by introducing measures to combat misinformation, reinforce journalistic ethics, and enhance regulatory mechanisms while safeguarding freedom of expression.
While the law may represent progress, the law reintroduces criminal penalties for professional misconduct, allowing prosecution of not only content authors but also editors-in-chief, managing editors, and presenters. It broadens the definition of defamation, imposes fines for unproven allegations, and restricts reporting on certain judicial proceedings. The new law, which also permits confiscation of materials and suspension of media outlets/licences upon conviction, represents a significant setback for press freedom and democratic expression in the country. Some media critics have described the new law as “liberty-killing” and a potential “death sentence for the media.”
HCC warns of rising disinformation and hate speech in CAR
On 28th March 2025, in Bangui, the High Council for Communication (HCC) hosted a conference-debate to address the challenges of disinformation and hate speech. The event brought together key stakeholders to present a media monitoring report and raise awareness about these issues. Discussions focused on misinformation during elections and explored the roles of political authorities, media, and civil society in combating these problems. At the conference, the HCC urged journalists to show restraint and adhere closely to the principles of deontology and ethics in the field of information and communication. Following this conference, on 28th April 2025, the HCC held a press conference to express growing concerns about the escalation of disinformation, hate speech, and incitement to hostility on social media platforms in the country. The HCC attributed this troubling trend primarily to well-known compatriots and certain political figures, suggesting that these individuals were using such tactics to settle scores with their political opponents.