CAR Heads to the Voting Stations as President Seeks a Third Stint in Office
On Sunday, the nation of CAR will hold a significant quadruple election, including the presidential race, parliament, and municipal positions.
A Competitive Race for the Presidency
Seven candidates are competing for the presidency, among them former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. The two were given approval to run by the high court after initial bans. Dologuélé was the runner-up in the 2015 and 2020 votes, while Dondra briefly served under the incumbent.
Opposition Hopes and Public Discontent
The opposition hopes to capitalize on widespread frustration in a country where violence remains a daily reality. More than half a million people are internally displaced, with a comparable figure living as refugees in neighbouring countries.
"This is an chance to acknowledge the remarkable recovery of the country," said a senior UN diplomat, adding that challenges persist.
Touadéra's Expected Victory
Despite the challenges, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a former mathematics professor, is largely predicted to secure another term. He transitioned into politics in 2008 when named prime minister, serving until a rebel coalition overthrew the government in 2013, triggering a sectarian conflict.
After a turbulent transition period, his reputation for impartiality from the warring factions powered his runoff win 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 logistical support that the state's crumbling infrastructure is unable to provide.
Further issues involve the voter list being made available only digitally, a major hurdle in a country with scarce online access. These irregularities have prompted an opposition boycott and could, according to observers, "disenfranchise large segments of the population."
Implications of Extended Rule
Many residents fear that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 constitutional referendum that scrapped term limits and lengthened mandates—would entail expanded sway for outside interests.
The president has relied on the private military group Wagner for his protection, and even after its founder's death, has resisted calls to fold its fighters into a successor entity. In contrast, Rwanda has pursued a different approach, focusing on commercial interests within CAR.
Claims of National Disposal
Recent reports have claimed the administration removed its own soldiers from a internationally financed facility to make way for a foreign-run livestock operation. A critical commentary accused the leadership of being "determined to sell off the nation bit by bit."
Despite a recent peace accord with rebel groups offering hope of calm, the vote proceeds under a cloud of uncertainty and geopolitical rivalry.
