President Faustin-Archange Touadéra dismissed William Ndjapou from his position as Advisor on legal reform and electoral process monitoring through a presidential decree signed on 19 October 2026. This formal removal from office marks a significant shift within the administration, as the presidential decree signed on October 19, 2026, officially terminated the tenure of William Ndjapou. The dismissal follows public criticism voiced by William Ndjapou regarding recent arrests. Speaking on the matter, William Ndjapou stated: "…le procureur ne reconnait pas avoir ordonné l’arrestation de ces personnes…. C’est pour dire que nous sommes dans une situation d’irrégularité. Je tiens à préciser que le président Touadéra est un homme de justice, un homme de paix. De pareilles choses ne viennent pas de lui. Il y a des gens qui gravitent autour du chef de l’Etat qui pensent pouvoir lui rendre service, lui faire plaisir en arrêtant ces personnes-là, et c’est en cela que je dis non!"
Context of Civil Unrest
Civil society leaders were arrested on 15 October 2026. These individuals were detained while preparing to hold a press conference regarding a 'ville morte' (dead city) protest that had taken place on 12 October 2026. The 'ville morte' protest was organized to demonstrate against the high cost of living and the increase in fuel prices in Centrafrique. The arrests occurred specifically as these figures were making final arrangements for their scheduled press conference.
William Ndjapou publicly criticized the arrest of these civil society leaders on 15 October 2026 during a broadcast on Radio Ndeke Luka. By utilizing the platform provided by Radio Ndeke Luka, William Ndjapou expressed his concerns directly to the public regarding the legal standing of the detentions. This appearance on October 15, 2026, served as the primary catalyst for the subsequent administrative action taken against him.
Other officials joined in the criticism of the arrests. Special Advisor Fidèle Gouandjika and Minister Roméo Gribingui also expressed their disapproval regarding the detention of the civil society figures. The public remarks made by both Special Advisor Fidèle Gouandjika and Minister Roméo Gribingui noted a broader internal divide regarding the handling of the civil society leaders. While the government faced mounting pressure following the 'ville morte' protest of October 12, 2026, the specific interventions by these officials showed the sensitivity of the situation. The arrests of the civil society leaders on October 15, 2026, remain a focal point of the ongoing discourse within the administration, as the actions taken by William Ndjapou, alongside the commentary from Special Advisor Fidèle Gouandjika and Minister Roméo Gribingui, continue to reflect the tensions surrounding the state's response to public demonstrations in Centrafrique.
