CAR Prepares for the Voting Stations as Incumbent Pursues a Third Term
On Sunday, the Central African Republic will undertake a crucial quadruple election, including the presidency, parliament, and municipal offices.
A Competitive Presidential Field
A field of seven contenders are competing for the presidency, among them ex-premiers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. The two were cleared to stand by the high court after being initially barred. Dologuélé finished second in the 2015 and 2020 votes, while Dondra briefly served under the current president.
Opposition Hopes and Voter Frustrations
The opposition hopes to capitalize on widespread frustration in a nation where violence remains a daily reality. Over half a million people are internally displaced, with a similar number living as refugees in neighbouring countries.
"This represents an chance to acknowledge the remarkable recovery of the country," said a UN regional official, adding that obstacles remain.
Touadéra's Expected Victory
Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a former mathematics professor, is largely predicted to extend his run. He transitioned into politics in 2008 when named prime minister, holding the post until a insurgent alliance overthrew the government in 2013, sparking a civil war.
After a chaotic transition period, his reputation for impartiality from the warring factions fueled his second-round victory in 2016.
Election Risks and Logistical Hurdles
There are fears that logistical problems and violence could mar the electoral process, particularly in rural areas. The UN stabilization force, Minusca, is providing protection and organizational aid that the state's crumbling infrastructure cannot manage.
Additional problems include the voter list being made available only digitally, a major hurdle in a country with scarce online access. These irregularities have led to an electoral boycott and could, according to observers, "exclude many of the electorate."
Stakes of a Third Term
Many residents worry that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 constitutional referendum that scrapped term limits and extended mandates—would mean expanded sway for outside interests.
The president has put faith in the private military group Wagner for personal security, and even after its founder's death, has pushed back against calls to integrate its fighters into a successor entity. Meanwhile, Rwanda has taken a separate strategy, focusing on business interests within CAR.
Allegations of Asset Sales
Recent reports have claimed the administration evicted its own soldiers from a internationally financed facility to accommodate a foreign-run agricultural project. A pro-opposition editorial charged the leadership of being "determined to dispose of the nation bit by bit."
Despite a recent peace accord with rebel groups offering hope of stabilization, the vote proceeds under a shadow of uncertainty and external rivalry.
