CAR Prepares for the Voting Stations as Incumbent Seeks a Third Term
On Sunday, the nation of CAR will conduct a significant quadruple election, encompassing the presidential race, national assembly, and local positions.
A Crowded Race for the Presidency
Seven candidates are competing for the top office, among them former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. The two were given approval to run by the constitutional court after being initially barred. Dologuélé was the runner-up in the 2015 and 2020 votes, while Dondra briefly served under the current president.
Opposition Hopes and Voter Frustrations
The opposition aims to capitalize on widespread frustration in a country where violence remains a constant threat. Over half a million people are internally displaced, with a comparable figure living as refugees in neighbouring countries.
"This is an chance to commend the remarkable recovery of the nation," said a UN regional official, adding that challenges remain.
Touadéra's Expected Victory
Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is largely predicted to extend his run. He transitioned into 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 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, particularly in the countryside. The UN stabilization force, Minusca, is offering protection and organizational aid that the country's weak systems cannot manage.
Additional problems include the voter list being made available only digitally, a major hurdle in a country with scarce online access. These irregularities have led to an opposition boycott and could, according to observers, "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 scrapped term limits and extended mandates—would mean expanded sway for outside interests.
The president has put faith in the Russian mercenary group Wagner for his protection, 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 interests within CAR.
Claims of National Disposal
Allegations have claimed the administration removed its own soldiers from a internationally financed training centre to accommodate a foreign-run agricultural project. A critical commentary accused the leadership of being "determined to sell off the country bit by bit."
Despite a newly signed agreement with armed factions offering hope of calm, the election moves forward under a shadow of uncertainty and external rivalry.
