CAR Heads to the Polls as Incumbent Seeks a Third Stint in Office
On Sunday, the Central African Republic will undertake a crucial series of four votes, including the presidency, national assembly, and local seats.
A Competitive Race for the Presidency
A field of seven contenders are competing for the presidency, among them former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. The two were given approval to stand by the constitutional court after being initially barred. Dologuélé finished second in the 2015 and 2020 votes, while Dondra had a short tenure under the incumbent.
Challengers' Strategy and Public Discontent
The challengers aims to capitalize on widespread frustration in a nation where conflict remains a constant threat. Over half a million people are internally displaced, with a comparable figure living as exiles in neighbouring countries.
"This represents an chance to acknowledge the significant progress of the country," said a senior UN diplomat, adding that challenges remain.
Touadéra's Expected Victory
Despite the challenges, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is widely expected to secure another term. He transitioned into politics in 2008 when named prime minister, serving until a insurgent alliance overthrew the government in 2013, triggering a civil war.
After a turbulent three-year interim, his reputation for impartiality from the main militias fueled his second-round victory in 2016.
Security Concerns and Logistical Hurdles
Concerns persist that logistical problems and violence 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 cannot manage.
Additional problems involve the electoral roll being made available only digitally, a significant barrier in a country with limited internet access. These issues have prompted an electoral boycott and could, as noted by analysts, "exclude many of the population."
Implications of Extended Rule
Many residents fear that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 charter change that scrapped term limits and extended mandates—would entail greater influence for foreign actors.
The president has relied on the private military group Wagner for his protection, and even after its founder's death, has pushed back against calls to integrate its fighters into a new structure. In contrast, Rwanda has pursued a different approach, focusing on commercial ventures within CAR.
Claims of National Disposal
Recent reports have claimed the administration removed its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded training centre to accommodate a foreign-run agricultural project. A pro-opposition editorial charged the leadership of being "determined to sell off the country piece by piece."
Despite a recent peace accord with rebel groups offering hope of calm, the vote moves forward under a shadow of uncertainty and external competition.
