CAR Prepares for the Voting Stations as President Seeks a Third Term

This Sunday, the Central African Republic will hold a crucial quadruple election, encompassing the presidential race, parliament, and local offices.

A Competitive Presidential Field

A field of seven contenders are competing for the top office, including ex-premiers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men were cleared to run 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 incumbent.

Opposition Hopes and Voter Frustrations

The challengers hopes to tap into widespread discontent in a nation where conflict remains a daily reality. More than half a million people are displaced within their own country, with a similar number living as exiles in bordering states.

"This represents an chance to commend the remarkable recovery of the country," said a UN regional official, though he added that obstacles remain.

Touadéra's Expected Victory

Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a former mathematics professor, is largely predicted to extend his run. He first entered politics in 2008 when appointed prime minister, serving until a rebel coalition overthrew the government in 2013, sparking a civil war.

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

Election Risks and Logistical Hurdles

There are fears that supply-chain issues and insecurity could disrupt the electoral process, particularly in the countryside. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is offering security and organizational aid that the state's crumbling infrastructure cannot manage.

Further issues involve the voter list being published only online, a significant barrier in a nation with scarce online access. These issues have led to an electoral boycott and could, as noted by analysts, "disenfranchise large segments of the electorate."

Implications of Extended Rule

Many citizens worry that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 constitutional referendum that scrapped term limits and extended mandates—would entail expanded sway for foreign actors.

The president has relied on the Russian mercenary group Wagner for his protection, 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.

Allegations of Asset Sales

Recent reports have stated the administration removed its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded facility to accommodate a Rwandan livestock operation. A critical commentary accused the leadership of being "intent on dispose of the nation piece by piece."

Amid a newly signed agreement with armed factions offering hope of stabilization, the election moves forward under a cloud of uncertainty and external rivalry.