Central African Republic Heads to the Voting Stations as Incumbent Pursues a Third Term

On Sunday, the Central African Republic will hold a pivotal quadruple election, including the presidential race, parliament, and municipal positions.

A Competitive Presidential Field

Seven candidates are vying for the presidency, among them former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men were given approval to run by the constitutional court after being initially barred. Dologuélé was the runner-up in the last two elections, while Dondra had a short tenure under the current president.

Challengers' Strategy and Voter Frustrations

The opposition aims to capitalize on widespread frustration in a nation where conflict remains a daily reality. Over half a million people are internally displaced, with a comparable figure living as exiles in bordering states.

"This is an opportunity to commend the remarkable recovery of the nation," said a senior UN diplomat, 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 transitioned into politics in 2008 when appointed prime minister, holding the post until a rebel coalition toppled the government in 2013, triggering a sectarian conflict.

After a chaotic three-year interim, his perceived impartiality from the warring factions powered his second-round victory in 2016.

Security Concerns and Voting Challenges

Concerns persist that supply-chain issues and insecurity could disrupt the vote, particularly in rural areas. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is offering protection and logistical support that the state's crumbling infrastructure is unable to provide.

Additional problems include the voter list being published only online, a significant barrier in a nation with scarce online access. These issues have prompted an electoral boycott and could, according to observers, "disenfranchise large segments of the population."

Stakes of a Third Term

Many residents fear that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 constitutional referendum that scrapped term limits and lengthened mandates—would mean expanded sway for outside interests.

The president has put faith in the private military group Wagner for his protection, and even after its founder's death, has resisted calls to fold its fighters into a successor entity. Meanwhile, Rwanda has pursued a separate strategy, focusing on commercial ventures within CAR.

Allegations of Asset Sales

Allegations have stated the government removed its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded facility to make way for a Rwandan livestock operation. A critical editorial charged the leadership of being "determined to dispose of the country bit by bit."

Amid a newly signed agreement with armed factions offering hope of stabilization, the election proceeds under a shadow of uncertainty and external competition.