CAR Goes to the Ballot Box as Incumbent Seeks a Third Stint in Office
On Sunday, the Central African Republic will undertake a pivotal series of four votes, encompassing the presidential race, national assembly, and local seats.
A Crowded 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 cleared to run by the high court after initial bans. Dologuélé was the runner-up in the last two elections, while Dondra had a short tenure under the current president.
Opposition Hopes and Public Discontent
The challengers hopes to tap into widespread discontent in a nation where violence remains a constant threat. Over half a million people are internally displaced, with a similar number living as refugees in neighbouring countries.
"This is an chance to acknowledge the remarkable recovery of the nation," noted a senior UN diplomat, adding that challenges persist.
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, holding the post until a rebel coalition toppled the government in 2013, triggering a civil war.
After a chaotic three-year interim, his reputation for impartiality from the main militias powered his second-round victory in 2016.
Election Risks and Logistical Hurdles
There are fears that logistical problems and violence could mar the electoral process, especially in rural areas. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is providing protection and organizational aid that the country's weak systems is unable to provide.
Additional problems involve the voter list being made available only digitally, a significant barrier in a country with scarce online access. These irregularities have prompted an electoral boycott and could, as noted by analysts, "disenfranchise large segments of the electorate."
Stakes of a Third Term
Many residents worry that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 charter change that abolished term limits and lengthened mandates—would mean greater influence for outside interests.
The president has put faith in the Russian mercenary group Wagner for personal security, and despite its founder's death, has pushed back against calls to fold its fighters into a successor entity. In contrast, Rwanda has pursued a different approach, focusing on commercial interests within CAR.
Allegations of Asset Sales
Allegations have claimed the administration removed its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded training centre to accommodate a Rwandan livestock operation. A pro-opposition editorial charged 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 vote moves forward under a shadow of doubt and external rivalry.
