CAR Goes to the Polls as President Aims for a Third Stint in Office
This Sunday, the nation of CAR will conduct a pivotal series of four votes, including the presidency, parliament, and municipal offices.
A Crowded Race for the Presidency
Seven candidates are vying for the top office, among them former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men were cleared to run by the high court after being initially barred. Dologuélé finished second in the last two elections, while Dondra had a short tenure under the current president.
Opposition Hopes and Voter Frustrations
The opposition hopes to tap into widespread frustration in a nation where conflict 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," noted a UN regional official, though he added that challenges persist.
The Incumbent's Path
Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is widely expected to secure another term. He transitioned into politics in 2008 when appointed prime minister, serving until a rebel coalition overthrew the government in 2013, triggering a civil war.
After a turbulent three-year interim, his reputation for neutrality from the main militias powered his second-round victory in 2016.
Election Risks and Voting Challenges
There are fears that supply-chain issues and violence could disrupt the vote, particularly in the countryside. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is providing security and logistical support that the country's weak systems cannot manage.
Further issues involve the voter list being made available only digitally, a significant barrier in a nation with limited internet access. These issues have led to an opposition boycott and could, according to observers, "exclude many of the population."
Stakes of a Third Term
Many citizens fear that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 charter change that abolished term limits and lengthened mandates—would mean 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 resisted calls to fold its fighters into a successor entity. Meanwhile, Rwanda has taken a separate strategy, focusing on commercial ventures within CAR.
Allegations of Asset Sales
Recent reports have claimed the administration evicted its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded facility to make way for a foreign-run agricultural project. A critical commentary accused the leadership of being "intent on dispose of the country bit by bit."
Amid a recent peace accord with rebel groups offering hope of stabilization, the vote moves forward under a cloud of doubt and geopolitical rivalry.
