🔗 Share this article

On Sunday, the nation of CAR will hold a pivotal series of four votes, including the presidency, national assembly, and municipal positions.

A Crowded Presidential Field

A field of seven contenders are vying for the presidency, including ex-premiers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. The two were given approval 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 current president.

Challengers' Strategy and Public Discontent

The opposition aims to tap into widespread frustration in a country where violence remains a daily reality. Over half a million people are displaced within their own country, with a similar number living as refugees in bordering states.

"This is an opportunity to acknowledge the remarkable recovery of the nation," said a UN regional official, adding that obstacles remain.

Touadéra's Expected Victory

Despite the challenges, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a former mathematics professor, is widely expected to extend his run. He first entered politics in 2008 when named prime minister, holding the post until a rebel coalition overthrew the government in 2013, triggering a sectarian conflict.

After a turbulent transition period, his perceived impartiality from the main militias powered his runoff win in 2016.

Security Concerns and Logistical Hurdles

Concerns persist that logistical problems and insecurity could disrupt the electoral process, particularly in rural areas. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is offering protection and organizational aid that the country's weak systems cannot manage.

Additional problems include the electoral roll being published only online, a major hurdle in a country with scarce online access. These irregularities have led to an electoral boycott and could, as noted by analysts, "exclude many of the population."

Stakes of a Third Term

Many residents worry that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 charter change that scrapped term limits and lengthened mandates—would entail expanded sway for outside interests.

The president has put faith in the private military group Wagner for personal security, and even after its founder's death, has resisted calls to fold its fighters into a new structure. In contrast, Rwanda has taken a separate strategy, focusing on business ventures within CAR.

Claims of National Disposal

Allegations have stated the government removed its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded facility to accommodate a Rwandan agricultural project. A pro-opposition commentary accused the leadership of being "determined to dispose of the country piece by piece."

Despite a recent peace accord with armed factions offering hope of calm, the election proceeds under a shadow of doubt and external competition.