Post by : Shakul

Central African Republic opposition leader and former Prime Minister Anicet Georges Dologuélé has strongly criticized the confiscation of his diplomatic passport, calling the action an abuse of power by the government. The incident has increased political tension in the country and raised fresh concerns about democratic freedoms and political rights.

Dologuélé said he was stopped from boarding a flight to Addis Ababa, where he was scheduled to attend a meeting linked to the African Union Peace Fund. According to him, airport officials informed him that he was not allowed to leave the country after his diplomatic passport was reportedly seized by authorities.

Speaking during a press conference in Bangui, Dologuélé expressed shock and frustration over the decision. He stated that he felt as though he had become “stateless” in his own country and accused the authorities of targeting political opponents through administrative pressure and restrictions.

Anicet Georges Dologuélé served as Prime Minister of the Central African Republic between 1999 and 2001 and remains one of the country’s most recognized opposition figures. He has been a member of the board of directors of the African Union Peace Fund since 2018 and regularly participates in international meetings related to peace and regional stability.

The political dispute comes after Dologuélé contested President Faustin-Archange Touadéra in the country’s recent presidential election. Last year, he officially renounced his French citizenship in order to comply with constitutional requirements and qualify as a presidential candidate in the election.

Dologuélé has repeatedly criticized the election process, describing the results as unfair and far from transparent. Official election figures showed that he secured 13.1 percent of the vote, while President Touadéra won another term in office. Opposition groups have continued to question the credibility of the electoral process and political environment in the country.

According to Dologuélé, the government has refused to issue him a new standard passport after he surrendered his French nationality. He explained that he had continued using the diplomatic passport granted to him as a former prime minister because no replacement document had been provided.

Political analysts say the incident could deepen concerns about political freedoms and democratic practices in the Central African Republic. Human rights organizations and international observers have often raised concerns over restrictions faced by opposition leaders and critics of the government.

The situation has also attracted attention across Africa because Dologuélé was traveling for official duties connected to the African Union Peace Fund. Observers believe the controversy may increase pressure on the government to explain its actions and clarify the legal status of the opposition leader’s travel documents.

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