CAR Heads to the Polls as Incumbent Seeks a Third Mandate
On Sunday, the nation of CAR will conduct a significant series of four votes, including the presidential race, national assembly, and municipal offices.
A Competitive Presidential Field
Seven candidates are competing for the presidency, including former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men were given approval to run by the constitutional court after initial bans. Dologuélé was the runner-up in the 2015 and 2020 votes, while Dondra briefly served under the incumbent.
Challengers' Strategy and Public Discontent
The opposition hopes to tap into widespread frustration in a nation where conflict remains a constant threat. Over half a million people are displaced within their own country, with a similar number living as exiles in bordering states.
"This is an chance to commend the remarkable recovery of the country," noted a UN regional official, adding that challenges persist.
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 named prime minister, serving until a rebel coalition toppled the government in 2013, sparking a civil war.
After a chaotic three-year interim, his reputation for impartiality from the warring factions powered his runoff win in 2016.
Election Risks and Logistical Hurdles
There are fears that logistical problems and insecurity could mar the electoral process, particularly in the countryside. The UN stabilization force, Minusca, is providing protection and organizational aid that the country's weak systems is unable to provide.
Further issues include the voter list being made available only digitally, a significant barrier in a nation with limited internet access. These issues have led to an opposition boycott and could, according to observers, "exclude many of the population."
Stakes of a Third Term
Many residents fear that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 constitutional referendum that abolished term limits and lengthened mandates—would entail expanded sway for foreign actors.
The president has relied on the Russian mercenary group Wagner for his protection, and despite its founder's death, has resisted calls to fold its fighters into a new structure. Meanwhile, Rwanda has taken a separate strategy, focusing on commercial interests within CAR.
Allegations of Asset Sales
Recent reports have stated the government removed its own soldiers from a internationally financed facility to make way for a foreign-run agricultural project. A critical editorial accused the leadership of being "determined to dispose of the nation piece by piece."
Amid a recent peace accord with armed factions offering hope of calm, the election moves forward under a shadow of doubt and geopolitical rivalry.
