BANGUI - Central African Republic's (CAR) President Faustin-Archange Touadera said on Tuesday he would hold a referendum in July on his intention to change the constitution and remove term limits.

Touadera's allies proposed the change in May last year, arguing that presidential term limits were uncommon in many neighbouring countries. Critics and opposition parties held protests last year as the reform would allow Touadera to run again in 2025 for a third term.

The president installed a commission to draft the proposed changes in September. But the country's top court ruled the committee unconstitutional and annulled it. In an address to the nation on Tuesday, Touadera said a draft of the new charter would be submitted to a referendum.

A presidential decree issued later on Tuesday said the referendum would start on July 15 and end on July 28. ... The proposed reform echoes constitutional and other legal changes that have allowed presidents in several other African countries - including Rwanda, Congo Republic, Ivory Coast and Guinea - to stay in office.