CAR Goes to the Polls as President Pursues a Third Term

This Sunday, the Central African Republic will undertake a pivotal quadruple election, encompassing the presidential race, national assembly, and municipal positions.

A Crowded Presidential Field

Seven candidates are vying for the presidency, including ex-premiers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men were cleared to stand 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 hopes to tap into widespread discontent in a country where violence remains a constant threat. More than half a million people are internally displaced, with a similar number living as refugees in neighbouring countries.

"This represents an opportunity to commend the significant progress of the nation," said a senior UN diplomat, though he added that obstacles remain.

The Incumbent's Path

Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is widely expected to extend his run. He first entered politics in 2008 when appointed prime minister, serving until a insurgent alliance toppled the government in 2013, sparking a sectarian conflict.

After a chaotic transition period, his perceived impartiality from the warring factions fueled his second-round victory in 2016.

Security Concerns and Voting Challenges

There are fears that logistical problems and insecurity could mar the electoral process, particularly in the countryside. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is offering protection and organizational aid that the country's weak systems cannot manage.

Further issues involve the voter list being published only online, a significant barrier in a country with scarce online access. These irregularities have prompted an opposition boycott and could, according to observers, "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 scrapped term limits and lengthened mandates—would entail greater influence for outside interests.

The president has put faith in 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. Meanwhile, Rwanda has taken a separate strategy, focusing on business interests within CAR.

Claims of National Disposal

Recent reports have claimed the administration evicted its own soldiers from a internationally financed training centre to accommodate a foreign-run livestock operation. A pro-opposition commentary accused the leadership of being "determined to sell off the country piece by piece."

Amid a newly signed agreement with armed factions offering hope of stabilization, the election proceeds under a cloud of doubt and geopolitical competition.