CAR Goes to the Ballot Box as Incumbent Pursues a Third Mandate
This Sunday, the Central African Republic will hold a pivotal series of four votes, including the presidency, national assembly, and local offices.
A Competitive Presidential Field
A field of seven contenders are vying for the top office, including 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.
Challengers' Strategy and Voter Frustrations
The opposition hopes to capitalize on widespread frustration in a country where violence remains a constant threat. More than half a million people are internally displaced, with a comparable figure living as refugees in neighbouring countries.
"This represents an chance to commend the remarkable recovery of the country," said a UN regional official, adding that obstacles persist.
The Incumbent's Path
Despite the challenges, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is widely expected to secure another term. He first entered politics in 2008 when appointed prime minister, holding the post until a insurgent alliance overthrew the government in 2013, triggering a sectarian conflict.
After a turbulent transition period, his reputation for neutrality from the warring factions fueled his runoff win in 2016.
Election Risks and Voting Challenges
Concerns persist that logistical problems and violence could mar the electoral process, particularly in rural areas. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is offering security and organizational aid that the state's crumbling infrastructure is unable to provide.
Additional problems include the voter list being published only online, a major hurdle in a nation with limited internet access. These issues have prompted an electoral boycott and could, as noted by analysts, "exclude many of the population."
Stakes of a Third Term
Many citizens worry that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 constitutional referendum that abolished term limits and lengthened mandates—would mean expanded sway for foreign actors.
The president has put faith in the Russian mercenary 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 pursued a different approach, focusing on business ventures within CAR.
Allegations of Asset Sales
Allegations have claimed the administration evicted its own soldiers from a internationally financed facility to make way for a foreign-run agricultural project. A pro-opposition editorial accused the leadership of being "determined to sell off the nation piece by piece."
Despite a recent peace accord with armed factions offering hope of calm, the election moves forward under a shadow of doubt and geopolitical competition.
