constituteproject.org PDF generated: 18 Apr 2016, 15:13 Chapter I: Of the Head of State of the Transition Article 23 • Head of state selection The Head of State of the Transition is elected by the National Council of the Transition for the duration of the Transition. • Head of state replacement In the event of the death, voluntary resignation or permanent incapacity due to medical causes of the Head of State of the Transition, the President of the National Council of the Transition will take up the vacancy. In the case where the latter are themselves subject to one of the above mentioned cases, the vacancy is taken up by the Vice-President of the National Council of the Transition. • Head of state replacement The National Council of the Transition will proceed to organize the election of a new Head of State of the Transition within fifteen (15) days following the announcement of the vacancy by the Constitutional Court of the Transition. If it is not in session, an extraordinary session will be convened immediately to this end. Resulting applications will be the object of a large consultation between the driving forces of the nation. • Oaths to abide by constitution Article 24 The swearing-in of the Head of State of the Transition before the Constitutional Court of the Transition will happen as soon as the members of the Constitutional Court of the Transition have taken their oath. During the swearing-in, left hand placed on the Constitutional Charter and right hand in the air, the Head of State takes the following oath at a formal sitting of the Constitutional Court of the Transition: • Human dignity • God or other deities “I…(Surname and first names of the Head of State of the Transition), SWEAR BEFORE GOD AND BEFORE THE NATION TO SCRUPULOUSLY ABIDE BY THE CONSTITUTIONAL CHARTER OF THE TRANSITION, TO GUARANTEE THE INDEPENDENCE AND SURVIVAL OF THE REPUBLIC, TO SAFEGUARD THE TERRITORY’S INTEGRITY, TO PRESERVE PEACE, TO CONSOLIDATE NATIONAL UNITY, TO ENSURE THE WELL-BEING OF THE CENTRAL AFRICAN PEOPLE, TO CONSCIOUSLY FULFILL THE DUTIES OF MY STATION WITHOUT ANY REGARD TO ETHNIC, REGIONAL, RELIGIOUS OR CONFESSIONAL CONSIDERATIONS, TO NEVER EXERCISE THE POWERS THAT HAVE BEEN BESTOWED UPON ME BY THE CONSTITUTIONAL CHARTER OF THE TRANSITION FOR PERSONAL GAIN AND TO BE GUIDED IN EVERYTHING ONLY BY THE NATIONAL INTEREST AND THE DIGNITY OF THE CENTRAL AFRICAN PEOPLE”. Article 25 The function of Head of State of the Transition is incompatible with the exercise of any other political, ministerial or legal role, any other mandate or elected role, any lucrative activity, any position of professional representation or any salaried employment. • International law Article 26 The Head of State of the Transition personifies and symbolizes national unity. They monitor respect for the Constitutional Charter of the Transition. They ensure, through his arbitration, the regular functioning of public powers as well as the State’s future. Central African Republic 2013 Page 9