Danièle Darlan

Danièle Darlan (born 1952)

Early life and education Darlan's father Georges Darlan was the president of the Representative Council of Ubangi-Shari from 1949 to 1952.

It was Darlan's role to declare the outcome of the controversial 2020–2021 election, declaring Touadéra's victory and rejecting a suit filed by 13 of the 16 other candidates arguing there had been "massive fraud". She said the court had "not received any pressure, either from the president, or from the special representative of the UN secretary general, or from any embassy."

In October 2022, Darlan was removed from her position by Touadéra, citing her age. According to Le Monde, the court held that constitutional revision could not proceed before the establishment of a Senate, which had not yet been created. Following her retirement and dismissal, segments of civil society and opposition political groups called for the removal of President Touadéra from office.

Recognition In March 2023, Darlan was one of the recipients of that year's International Women of Courage Awards, presented by the United States Department of State in recognition of her tenure on the Central African Constitutional Court.

In January 2024, she was awarded the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights by the ambassadors of France and Germany in Bangui, becoming the first Central African recipient of the distinction, which recognises individuals for their commitment to defending human rights.

Selected publications