🔗 Share this article

On Sunday, the Central African Republic will hold a significant series of four votes, encompassing the presidential race, parliament, and local seats.

A Crowded Presidential Field

Seven candidates are vying for the presidency, among them ex-premiers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men were cleared 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 Public Discontent

The challengers aims to tap into widespread discontent in a nation where violence remains a constant threat. More than half a million people are internally displaced, with a comparable figure living as refugees in neighbouring countries.

"This represents an chance to acknowledge the remarkable recovery of the nation," noted a UN regional official, though he added 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 first entered politics in 2008 when appointed prime minister, serving until a rebel coalition overthrew the government in 2013, sparking a civil war.

After a turbulent three-year interim, 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 violence could disrupt the vote, especially in the countryside. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is providing protection and logistical support that the country's weak systems is unable to provide.

Additional problems involve the electoral roll being published only online, a major hurdle in a country with limited internet access. These issues have prompted an opposition boycott and could, according to observers, "disenfranchise large segments of the population."

Implications of Extended Rule

Many residents 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 foreign actors.

The president has relied on the Russian mercenary group Wagner for personal security, and even after its founder's death, has pushed back against calls to fold its fighters into a successor entity. In contrast, Rwanda has taken a different approach, focusing on commercial interests within CAR.

Allegations of Asset Sales

Allegations have stated the administration removed its own soldiers from a internationally financed training centre to make way for a Rwandan livestock operation. A critical editorial charged the leadership of being "determined to sell off the country piece by piece."

Despite a newly signed agreement with rebel groups offering hope of stabilization, the vote moves forward under a cloud of uncertainty and geopolitical competition.