🔗 Share this article

On Sunday, the Central African Republic will undertake a pivotal quadruple election, encompassing the presidency, parliament, and municipal offices.

A Crowded Race for the Presidency

A field of seven contenders are competing for the presidency, including ex-premiers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men were given approval to run by the constitutional court after initial bans. Dologuélé finished second in the 2015 and 2020 votes, 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 nation where conflict remains a constant threat. More than half a million people are displaced within their own country, with a similar number living as refugees in bordering states.

"This is an opportunity to commend the remarkable recovery of the country," said a senior UN diplomat, adding that obstacles remain.

Touadéra's Expected Victory

Despite the challenges, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is widely expected to extend his run. He transitioned into politics in 2008 when appointed prime minister, serving until a rebel coalition toppled the government in 2013, sparking a sectarian conflict.

After a turbulent three-year interim, his perceived impartiality from the main militias powered his second-round victory in 2016.

Security Concerns and Logistical Hurdles

There are fears that logistical problems and violence could disrupt the vote, particularly in the countryside. The UN stabilization force, Minusca, is providing protection and logistical support that the country's weak systems cannot manage.

Additional problems include the voter list being published only online, a major hurdle in a nation with limited internet access. These irregularities have prompted an opposition boycott and could, according to observers, "exclude many of the population."

Implications of Extended Rule

Many residents fear that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 constitutional referendum that abolished term limits and extended mandates—would entail greater influence 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. In contrast, Rwanda has pursued a different approach, focusing on commercial interests within CAR.

Allegations of Asset Sales

Allegations have claimed the government evicted its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded facility to make way for a Rwandan livestock operation. A pro-opposition commentary charged the leadership of being "intent on dispose of the nation piece by piece."

Amid a newly signed agreement with armed factions offering a glimmer of stabilization, the election moves forward under a shadow of uncertainty and geopolitical competition.