Central African Republic Opposition Leader Denies Citizenship Revocation as State Abuse
On Wednesday, Anicet‑Georges Dologuele, a former prime minister and the leading opposition figure in the Central African Republic (CAR), denounced the government’s decision to block his travel as an “abuse of power.” The interior ministry prevented him from boarding a flight to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, citing a recent court ruling that declared he had lost his Central African citizenship.
Travel Block and Immediate Reaction
Dologuele said he was stopped at Bangui’s M’Poko International Airport on Tuesday morning just as he was preparing to depart for the African Union Peace Fund meeting, a body he has chaired since 2018. He told reporters:
“The interior minister … has clearly decided that I am not entitled to a Central African passport and that I have been banned from leaving the country.”
He characterised the move as a politically motivated restriction rather than a legitimate administrative action.
Legal Background: Citizenship Ruling
The travel ban stems from an October 2023 ruling by the CAR’s Constitutional Court, which determined that Dologuele had forfeited his Central African nationality because he also held French citizenship. Under CAR law, dual nationality is not permitted for individuals holding public office.
In anticipation of the December 2023 presidential election, Dologuele renounced his French passport in August 2023, a step he said was intended to comply with the nationality requirement and to allow him to run against incumbent President Faustin‑Archange Touadéra.
Electoral Context and Opposition Stance
Touadéra was declared the winner of the December 2023 poll with approximately 78 % of the vote, according to the country’s independent electoral commission. Dologuele, who finished second, immediately denounced the results as “massive fraud” and filed an appeal with the Constitutional Court.
The 2023 election was notable for a constitutional amendment that permitted Touadéra to seek a third term, a change that prompted large sections of the opposition to boycott the vote. Dologuele had also placed second in the 2016 and 2020 presidential contests, both of which were similarly marred by allegations of irregularities.
Implications for Political Rights and Regional Engagement
The inability to leave the country not only hinders Dologuele’s personal travel but also limits his capacity to fulfill international obligations, such as his role on the African Union Peace Fund board. Analysts warn that using citizenship revocation as a tool to curb opposition movement could undermine democratic norms and deter regional cooperation.
Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDIH), have previously criticised CAR’s electoral processes and urged the government to ensure that legal measures are applied impartially and in accordance with international law.
Conclusion
Anicet‑Georges Dologuele’s recent travel prohibition highlights the ongoing tension between the CAR government and its opposition. While authorities cite legal grounds rooted in nationality law, Dologuele and his supporters view the action as an attempt to silence dissent ahead of future political contests. The situation underscores the need for transparent legal procedures and respect for political participation, both domestically and within the broader African Union framework.
- Reuters, “CAR opposition leader barred from travel after citizenship loss,” November 2023.
- BBC Africa, “Central African Republic election: Touadéra wins third term amid fraud claims,” December 2023.
- Amnesty International, “Central African Republic: Ensure free and fair elections,” 2023.
- African Union Peace Fund, Board membership records, accessed November 2023.
