CAR Goes to the Voting Stations as Incumbent Seeks a Third Term
This Sunday, the Central African Republic will hold a significant series of four votes, including the presidency, parliament, and municipal positions.
A Crowded Race for the Presidency
A field of seven contenders are competing for the presidency, including former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. The two were given approval to run by the high court after initial bans. Dologuélé finished second in the last two elections, while Dondra had a short tenure under the incumbent.
Challengers' Strategy and Voter Frustrations
The challengers hopes to capitalize on widespread frustration in a country where violence remains a daily reality. More than half a million people are displaced within their own country, with a comparable figure living as exiles in bordering states.
"This is an chance to acknowledge the remarkable recovery of the nation," noted a UN regional official, adding that challenges persist.
Touadéra's Expected Victory
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, holding the post until a insurgent alliance toppled the government in 2013, sparking a sectarian conflict.
After a chaotic three-year interim, his reputation for impartiality from the warring factions fueled his runoff win in 2016.
Election Risks and Logistical Hurdles
There are fears that logistical problems and insecurity could mar the electoral process, especially in rural areas. The UN stabilization force, Minusca, is offering security and logistical support that the state's crumbling infrastructure cannot manage.
Further issues include the electoral roll being published only online, a significant barrier in a country with limited internet access. These issues have prompted an opposition boycott and could, according to observers, "exclude many of the electorate."
Stakes of a Third Term
Many citizens worry that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 constitutional referendum that scrapped term limits and extended mandates—would entail expanded sway for foreign actors.
The president has put faith in the private military group Wagner for personal security, and despite its founder's death, has pushed back against calls to integrate its fighters into a successor entity. In contrast, Rwanda has taken a separate strategy, focusing on commercial ventures within CAR.
Claims of National Disposal
Recent reports have stated the administration evicted its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded facility to accommodate a foreign-run livestock operation. A pro-opposition commentary charged the leadership of being "determined to dispose of the nation bit by bit."
Amid a newly signed agreement with rebel groups offering hope of stabilization, the vote proceeds under a cloud of doubt and external competition.
