CAR Goes to the Voting Stations as Incumbent Seeks a Third Stint in Office
This Sunday, the Central African Republic will hold a crucial quadruple election, encompassing the presidency, national assembly, and municipal offices.
A Crowded Race for the Presidency
A field of seven contenders are competing for the top office, including ex-premiers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. The two were given approval 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 incumbent.
Opposition Hopes and Public Discontent
The opposition hopes to tap into widespread discontent in a country where violence remains a constant threat. More than half a million people are displaced within their own country, with a comparable figure living as refugees in bordering states.
"This is an opportunity to acknowledge the remarkable recovery of the nation," said a UN regional official, though he added that obstacles persist.
The Incumbent's Path
Despite the challenges, 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 overthrew the government in 2013, triggering a civil war.
After a chaotic three-year interim, his reputation for impartiality from the main militias powered his runoff win in 2016.
Election Risks and Logistical Hurdles
There are fears that logistical problems and insecurity could disrupt the electoral process, especially in the countryside. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is providing security and organizational aid that the state's crumbling infrastructure is unable to provide.
Additional problems involve the electoral roll being published only online, a significant barrier in a nation with limited internet access. These irregularities have prompted an opposition boycott and could, according to observers, "exclude many of the population."
Stakes of a Third Term
Many residents worry that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 charter change that scrapped term limits and extended mandates—would mean greater influence for outside interests.
The president has relied on the private military group Wagner for personal security, and even after its founder's death, has resisted calls to integrate its fighters into a new structure. Meanwhile, Rwanda has pursued a different approach, focusing on business interests within CAR.
Claims of National Disposal
Recent reports have claimed the administration removed its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded training centre to accommodate a foreign-run agricultural project. A critical commentary charged the leadership of being "determined to sell off the nation piece by piece."
Amid a newly signed agreement with rebel groups offering hope of calm, the vote moves forward under a shadow of uncertainty and geopolitical rivalry.
