CAR Prepares for the Ballot Box as Incumbent Seeks a Third Mandate

On Sunday, the Central African Republic will undertake a crucial series of four votes, including the presidency, national assembly, and municipal positions.

A Competitive Race for the Presidency

Seven candidates are vying for the presidency, among them former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men were cleared to run by the high court after initial bans. Dologuélé finished second in the 2015 and 2020 votes, while Dondra had a short tenure under the incumbent.

Challengers' Strategy 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 displaced within their own country, with a comparable figure living as refugees in neighbouring countries.

"This is an chance to acknowledge the significant progress of the nation," noted a senior UN diplomat, adding that challenges persist.

The Incumbent's Path

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, holding the post until a rebel coalition toppled the government in 2013, triggering a civil war.

After a chaotic three-year interim, his reputation for neutrality from the warring factions fueled his second-round victory in 2016.

Election Risks and Voting Challenges

Concerns persist that logistical problems and violence could mar the electoral process, particularly in rural areas. The UN stabilization force, Minusca, is providing protection and logistical support that the country's weak systems cannot manage.

Additional problems include the electoral roll being published only online, a major hurdle in a country with limited internet access. These irregularities have led to an opposition boycott and could, as noted by analysts, "exclude many of the electorate."

Stakes of a Third Term

Many citizens fear that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 charter change that abolished term limits and extended mandates—would entail expanded sway 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 integrate its fighters into a successor entity. Meanwhile, Rwanda has taken a different approach, focusing on commercial interests within CAR.

Allegations of Asset Sales

Allegations have claimed the government removed its own soldiers from a internationally financed training centre to accommodate a foreign-run agricultural project. A critical commentary accused the leadership of being "determined to sell off the nation bit by bit."

Amid a recent peace accord with rebel groups offering a glimmer of calm, the vote moves forward under a shadow of uncertainty and geopolitical competition.