CAR Heads to the Ballot Box as Incumbent Seeks a Third Mandate

This Sunday, the Central African Republic will undertake a significant quadruple election, encompassing the presidential race, parliament, and municipal offices.

A Competitive Presidential Field

A field of seven contenders are vying for the presidency, among them former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. The two were given approval to stand by the high court after initial bans. Dologuélé finished second in the 2015 and 2020 votes, while Dondra had a short tenure under the current president.

Opposition Hopes and Voter Frustrations

The challengers hopes to capitalize on widespread discontent in a country where conflict remains a daily reality. Over half a million people are internally displaced, with a similar number living as exiles in bordering states.

"This is an opportunity to commend the significant progress of the country," noted a UN regional official, adding that challenges persist.

Touadéra's Expected Victory

Despite the challenges, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a former mathematics professor, is widely expected to extend his run. He transitioned into politics in 2008 when named prime minister, serving until a insurgent alliance toppled the government in 2013, sparking a sectarian conflict.

After a chaotic transition period, his perceived neutrality from the main militias powered his second-round victory in 2016.

Security Concerns and Logistical Hurdles

There are fears that supply-chain issues and insecurity could disrupt the vote, particularly in the countryside. The UN stabilization force, Minusca, is offering protection and logistical support that the country's weak systems cannot manage.

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

Stakes of a Third Term

Many citizens worry that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 constitutional referendum that abolished term limits and lengthened mandates—would entail greater influence for outside interests.

The president has put faith in the Russian mercenary 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. Meanwhile, Rwanda has taken a different approach, focusing on commercial interests within CAR.

Claims of National Disposal

Recent reports have claimed the administration evicted its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded training centre to accommodate a Rwandan agricultural project. A critical editorial accused the leadership of being "intent on sell off the country bit by bit."

Despite a recent peace accord with rebel groups offering a glimmer of stabilization, the vote proceeds under a shadow of doubt and external rivalry.