Central African Republic Goes to the Polls as President Aims for a Third Term

On Sunday, the nation of CAR will conduct a pivotal quadruple election, including the presidential race, national assembly, and local seats.

A Competitive Presidential Field

Seven candidates are competing for the top office, including former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men were given approval to run by the high court after being initially barred. Dologuélé finished second in the last two elections, while Dondra briefly served under the current president.

Opposition Hopes and Public Discontent

The opposition aims to tap into widespread frustration in a nation where conflict remains a daily reality. Over half a million people are internally displaced, with a similar number living as exiles in neighbouring countries.

"This is an opportunity to acknowledge the significant progress of the country," noted a UN regional official, though he added that challenges remain.

Touadéra's Expected Victory

Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a former mathematics professor, is largely predicted to secure another term. He first entered politics in 2008 when named prime minister, serving until a insurgent alliance overthrew the government in 2013, triggering a sectarian conflict.

After a turbulent three-year interim, his perceived neutrality from the warring factions fueled his runoff win in 2016.

Security Concerns and Voting Challenges

There are fears that supply-chain issues and insecurity could mar the vote, particularly in the countryside. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is offering protection and logistical support that the state's crumbling infrastructure is unable to provide.

Additional problems involve the voter list being made available only digitally, a major hurdle in a country with limited internet access. These irregularities have led to an opposition boycott and could, according to observers, "disenfranchise large segments of the population."

Implications of Extended Rule

Many residents worry that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 constitutional referendum that scrapped term limits and extended mandates—would mean expanded sway for foreign actors.

The president has put faith in the Russian mercenary group Wagner for personal security, and even after its founder's death, has resisted calls to integrate its fighters into a new structure. Meanwhile, Rwanda has taken a separate strategy, focusing on commercial interests within CAR.

Claims of National Disposal

Allegations have claimed the administration removed its own soldiers from a internationally financed training centre to make way for a foreign-run agricultural project. A critical editorial accused the leadership of being "determined to dispose of the nation piece by piece."

Despite a recent peace accord with rebel groups offering hope of calm, the election proceeds under a cloud of doubt and external competition.