Central African Republic Goes to the Voting Stations as President Seeks a Third Stint in Office
On Sunday, the nation of CAR will hold a pivotal quadruple election, including the presidency, parliament, and municipal offices.
A Crowded Race for the Presidency
Seven candidates are vying for the presidency, among them former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men were cleared to run by the constitutional court after initial bans. Dologuélé finished second in the last two elections, while Dondra briefly served under the incumbent.
Opposition Hopes and Voter Frustrations
The challengers hopes to tap into widespread discontent in a nation where conflict remains a daily reality. Over half a million people are internally displaced, with a similar number living as exiles in neighbouring countries.
"This represents an opportunity to acknowledge the remarkable recovery of the country," said a UN regional official, adding that obstacles persist.
Touadéra's Expected Victory
Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a former mathematics professor, is widely expected to secure another term. He first entered politics in 2008 when appointed prime minister, holding the post until a rebel coalition toppled the government in 2013, triggering a civil war.
After a chaotic transition period, his perceived impartiality from the main militias powered his runoff win in 2016.
Election Risks and Voting Challenges
There are fears that logistical problems and insecurity could mar the vote, particularly in rural areas. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is offering protection and logistical support that the state's crumbling infrastructure cannot manage.
Further issues include the voter list being published only online, a significant barrier in a country with limited internet access. These issues have prompted an opposition boycott and could, as noted by analysts, "disenfranchise large segments of the electorate."
Stakes of a Third Term
Many citizens worry that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 charter change that abolished term limits and extended mandates—would mean expanded sway for foreign actors.
The president has put faith in the private military group Wagner for his protection, and despite its founder's death, has pushed back against calls to fold its fighters into a successor entity. In contrast, Rwanda has pursued a different approach, focusing on commercial interests within CAR.
Allegations of Asset Sales
Recent reports have claimed the government evicted its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded facility to accommodate a Rwandan livestock operation. A critical commentary accused the leadership of being "intent on dispose of the country bit by bit."
Amid a recent peace accord with rebel groups offering a glimmer of stabilization, the election proceeds under a cloud of doubt and geopolitical competition.
