CAR Prepares for the Ballot Box as Incumbent Seeks a Third Term
On Sunday, the Central African Republic will hold a pivotal quadruple election, encompassing the presidency, national assembly, and municipal offices.
A Competitive Presidential Field
A field of seven contenders are competing for the top office, among them former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men were given approval to stand by the constitutional court after being initially barred. Dologuélé finished second in the last two elections, while Dondra had a short tenure under the current president.
Opposition Hopes and Voter Frustrations
The opposition aims to capitalize on widespread frustration in a country where violence remains a daily reality. Over half a million people are displaced within their own country, with a comparable figure living as exiles in neighbouring countries.
"This represents an opportunity to acknowledge the significant progress 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 largely predicted to extend his run. He first entered politics in 2008 when appointed prime minister, serving until a insurgent alliance toppled the government in 2013, triggering a sectarian conflict.
After a chaotic transition period, his perceived impartiality from the warring factions powered his second-round victory in 2016.
Security Concerns and Voting Challenges
There are fears that logistical problems and violence could disrupt the electoral process, especially in the countryside. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is providing protection and logistical support that the country's weak systems is unable to provide.
Further issues include the electoral roll being made available only digitally, a significant barrier in a country with scarce online access. These irregularities have led to an opposition boycott and could, as noted by analysts, "disenfranchise large segments of the population."
Implications of Extended Rule
Many residents fear that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 constitutional referendum that abolished term limits and lengthened mandates—would entail expanded sway for foreign actors.
The president has relied on the Russian mercenary group Wagner for personal security, and even after its founder's death, has pushed back against calls to fold its fighters into a new structure. Meanwhile, Rwanda has pursued a different approach, focusing on business interests within CAR.
Allegations of Asset Sales
Recent reports have claimed the administration removed its own soldiers from a internationally financed facility to accommodate a foreign-run agricultural project. A critical editorial accused the leadership of being "determined to dispose of the nation piece by piece."
Amid a recent peace accord with rebel groups offering hope of stabilization, the vote moves forward under a shadow of doubt and external rivalry.
