CAR Heads to the Voting Stations as President Pursues a Third Mandate
On Sunday, the nation of CAR will undertake a significant quadruple election, encompassing the presidency, parliament, and local seats.
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. Both men were cleared to run by the high court after being initially barred. Dologuélé finished second in the 2015 and 2020 votes, while Dondra had a short tenure under the incumbent.
Opposition Hopes and Public Discontent
The opposition aims to capitalize on widespread discontent in a nation where conflict remains a constant threat. Over half a million people are internally displaced, with a comparable figure living as refugees in bordering states.
"This is an chance to commend the remarkable recovery of the nation," said a UN regional official, adding that obstacles persist.
Touadéra's Expected Victory
Despite the challenges, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is largely predicted to secure another term. He transitioned into politics in 2008 when appointed prime minister, holding the post until a rebel coalition overthrew the government in 2013, triggering a civil war.
After a turbulent transition period, his reputation for neutrality from the main militias fueled his runoff win in 2016.
Election Risks and Voting Challenges
Concerns persist that logistical problems and insecurity could disrupt the vote, especially in the countryside. The UN stabilization force, Minusca, is providing security 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 nation with scarce online access. These issues have prompted an electoral boycott and could, according to observers, "disenfranchise large segments of the population."
Implications of Extended Rule
Many residents fear that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 constitutional referendum that scrapped term limits and extended mandates—would entail greater influence 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 fold its fighters into a new structure. Meanwhile, Rwanda has taken a separate strategy, focusing on commercial interests within CAR.
Claims of National Disposal
Recent reports have claimed the administration removed its own soldiers from a internationally financed training centre to make way for a foreign-run livestock operation. A pro-opposition editorial accused the leadership of being "intent on sell off the country bit by bit."
Amid a newly signed agreement with armed factions offering hope of calm, the election moves forward under a shadow of uncertainty and external competition.
