Central African Republic Heads to the Voting Stations as Incumbent Aims for a Third Term
On Sunday, the nation of CAR will conduct a pivotal series of four votes, including the presidency, parliament, and municipal positions.
A Competitive Race for the Presidency
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 2015 and 2020 votes, while Dondra briefly served under the current president.
Opposition Hopes and Voter Frustrations
The challengers hopes to tap into widespread frustration in a nation where violence remains a constant threat. Over half a million people are internally displaced, with a similar number living as refugees in bordering states.
"This represents an chance to commend the significant progress of the nation," noted a UN regional official, though he added that obstacles remain.
Touadéra's Expected Victory
Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is widely expected to secure another term. He transitioned into politics in 2008 when appointed prime minister, serving until a insurgent alliance toppled the government in 2013, sparking a sectarian conflict.
After a turbulent three-year interim, his perceived neutrality from the warring factions fueled his second-round victory in 2016.
Election Risks and Voting Challenges
Concerns persist that logistical problems and insecurity could mar the vote, especially in the countryside. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is providing security and organizational aid that the state's crumbling infrastructure cannot manage.
Further issues include the voter list being published only online, a significant barrier in a country with scarce online access. These issues have led to an electoral boycott and could, according to observers, "disenfranchise large segments of the electorate."
Stakes of a Third Term
Many citizens worry that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 charter change that scrapped term limits and extended mandates—would entail expanded sway for outside interests.
The president has relied on the Russian mercenary group Wagner for his protection, and even after its founder's death, has resisted calls to integrate its fighters into a successor entity. In contrast, Rwanda has taken a different approach, focusing on commercial interests within CAR.
Allegations of Asset Sales
Recent reports have claimed the administration removed 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 "intent on dispose of the country piece by piece."
Despite a newly signed agreement with armed factions offering a glimmer of calm, the vote proceeds under a cloud of doubt and external competition.
