🔗 Share this article

On Sunday, the Central African Republic will hold a significant quadruple election, including the presidential race, parliament, and local offices.

A Crowded Race for the Presidency

A field of seven contenders are competing for the top office, among them ex-premiers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. The two were cleared to stand by the constitutional court after initial bans. Dologuélé finished second in the last two elections, while Dondra briefly served under the current president.

Opposition Hopes 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 exiles in neighbouring countries.

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

Touadéra's Expected Victory

Despite the challenges, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is widely expected to secure another term. He transitioned into politics in 2008 when named prime minister, holding the post until a rebel coalition overthrew the government in 2013, sparking a civil war.

After a chaotic transition period, his perceived neutrality from the warring factions powered his second-round victory in 2016.

Security Concerns and Logistical Hurdles

There are fears that logistical problems and violence could mar the electoral process, particularly in rural areas. The UN stabilization force, Minusca, is providing protection and organizational aid that the state's crumbling infrastructure is unable to provide.

Further issues involve the electoral roll being published only online, a major hurdle in a country with limited internet access. These issues have led to an electoral 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—made possible by a 2023 constitutional referendum that abolished term limits and lengthened 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 successor entity. Meanwhile, Rwanda has pursued a different approach, focusing on commercial interests within CAR.

Allegations of Asset Sales

Allegations have claimed the administration removed its own soldiers from a internationally financed training centre to make way for a foreign-run livestock operation. A critical editorial accused the leadership of being "intent on sell off the country bit by bit."

Amid a recent peace accord with armed factions offering hope of calm, the election proceeds under a cloud of doubt and external rivalry.