CAR Goes to the Voting Stations as President Pursues a Third Stint in Office
On Sunday, the Central African Republic will undertake a significant quadruple election, encompassing the presidential race, national assembly, and local seats.
A Crowded Race for the Presidency
A field of seven contenders are vying for the top office, including former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. The two were cleared to stand by the constitutional court after initial bans. Dologuélé finished second in the last two elections, while Dondra briefly served under the incumbent.
Opposition Hopes and Voter Frustrations
The opposition hopes to tap into widespread discontent in a country where conflict remains a daily reality. Over half a million people are displaced within their own country, with a similar number living as exiles in bordering states.
"This is an chance to commend the significant progress of the nation," said a senior UN diplomat, though he added that obstacles persist.
The Incumbent's Path
Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a former mathematics professor, is largely predicted to extend his run. He transitioned into politics in 2008 when appointed prime minister, serving until a insurgent alliance toppled the government in 2013, sparking a civil war.
After a chaotic three-year interim, his perceived impartiality from the warring factions fueled his runoff win in 2016.
Election Risks and Logistical Hurdles
Concerns persist that logistical problems and insecurity could mar the vote, particularly in the countryside. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is providing protection and logistical support that the state's crumbling infrastructure is unable to provide.
Additional problems include the electoral roll being made available only digitally, a major hurdle in a country with scarce online access. These irregularities have prompted an electoral boycott and could, according to observers, "exclude many of the electorate."
Implications of Extended Rule
Many residents fear that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 charter change that abolished term limits and extended mandates—would entail expanded sway for foreign actors.
The president has put faith in the private military group Wagner for personal security, and even after its founder's death, has resisted calls to integrate its fighters into a successor entity. In contrast, Rwanda has taken a separate strategy, focusing on commercial ventures within CAR.
Claims of National Disposal
Recent reports have stated the government removed its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded facility to make way for a foreign-run livestock operation. A pro-opposition commentary 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 stabilization, the vote moves forward under a cloud of doubt and external rivalry.
