THE top court in Central African Republic (CAR) rejected on Thursday the candidacy of former President François Bozizé in a December 27 election being held despite security concerns because of fighting between rival militias.
Bozizé planned to run against President Faustin-Archange Touadéra.
But the court said Bozizé, 74, did not satisfy the “good morality” requirement for candidates because of an international warrant and UN sanctions against him for alleged assassinations, torture and other crimes.
The court validated the candidacies of Touadéra and 16 others, according to the order read by the court’s president.
Bozizé, a former general who seized power in a 2003 coup and was overthrown in a 2013 rebellion, has denied the accusations against him. His lawyer said the opposition coalition led by Bozizé would now meet to consider its options.
CAR has experienced an acute humanitarian crisis since Bozizé’s overthrow, which led to fighting between mainly Muslim
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