CAR Heads to the Ballot Box as Incumbent Seeks a Third Stint in Office
On Sunday, the nation of CAR will conduct a pivotal quadruple election, encompassing the presidency, parliament, and local offices.
A Competitive Presidential Field
Seven candidates are vying for the top office, among them ex-premiers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men were given approval to run by the constitutional court after initial bans. Dologuélé was the runner-up in the 2015 and 2020 votes, while Dondra had a short tenure under the current president.
Challengers' Strategy and Voter Frustrations
The challengers aims to tap into widespread discontent in a country where violence remains a daily reality. More than half a million people are displaced within their own country, with a comparable figure living as refugees in bordering states.
"This is an chance to acknowledge the remarkable recovery of the country," noted a senior UN diplomat, adding that challenges persist.
Touadéra's Expected Victory
Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a former mathematics professor, is widely expected to extend his run. He first entered politics in 2008 when named prime minister, serving until a rebel coalition overthrew the government in 2013, sparking a sectarian conflict.
After a turbulent transition period, his reputation for impartiality from the warring factions powered his second-round victory in 2016.
Security Concerns and Logistical Hurdles
There are fears that logistical problems and insecurity could disrupt the electoral process, particularly in the countryside. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is offering security and organizational aid that the country's weak systems is unable to provide.
Additional problems include the electoral roll being published only online, a significant barrier in a country with limited internet access. These issues have led to an electoral boycott and could, according to observers, "disenfranchise large segments of the electorate."
Stakes of a Third Term
Many residents fear that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 charter change that abolished term limits and extended mandates—would entail expanded sway for foreign actors.
The president has put faith in the private military group Wagner for his protection, and despite its founder's death, has resisted calls to fold its fighters into a new structure. Meanwhile, Rwanda has pursued a different approach, focusing on business interests within CAR.
Claims of National Disposal
Recent reports have claimed the administration evicted its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded facility to accommodate a foreign-run agricultural project. A pro-opposition editorial accused the leadership of being "determined to sell off the nation bit by bit."
Despite a newly signed agreement with rebel groups offering hope of calm, the election moves forward under a shadow of uncertainty and external rivalry.
