🔗 Share this article

On Sunday, the nation of CAR will conduct a crucial quadruple election, encompassing the presidency, parliament, and local seats.

A Competitive Presidential Field

A field of seven contenders 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 being initially barred. Dologuélé finished second 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 frustration in a nation where conflict remains a constant threat. More than half a million people are internally displaced, with a similar number living as refugees in neighbouring countries.

"This represents an opportunity to commend the remarkable recovery of the country," noted a UN regional official, adding that obstacles persist.

Touadéra's Expected Victory

Despite the challenges, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a former mathematics professor, is largely predicted to secure another term. He first entered politics in 2008 when appointed prime minister, holding the post until a insurgent alliance overthrew the government in 2013, triggering a sectarian conflict.

After a chaotic three-year interim, his reputation for neutrality from the warring factions powered his runoff win in 2016.

Election Risks and Voting Challenges

Concerns persist that supply-chain issues and violence could disrupt the vote, especially in rural areas. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is offering protection and logistical support that the state's crumbling infrastructure cannot manage.

Additional problems involve the voter list being made available only digitally, a significant barrier in a nation with limited internet access. These issues have led to an opposition boycott and could, according to observers, "disenfranchise large segments of the population."

Stakes of a Third Term

Many citizens worry that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 constitutional referendum that scrapped term limits and extended mandates—would mean greater influence for outside interests.

The president has put faith in the private military group Wagner for personal security, and even after its founder's death, has resisted calls to integrate its fighters into a successor entity. In contrast, Rwanda has pursued a different approach, focusing on business interests within CAR.

Claims of National Disposal

Allegations have claimed the government evicted its own soldiers from a internationally financed training centre to accommodate a Rwandan agricultural project. A critical commentary accused the leadership of being "intent on dispose of the country bit by bit."

Despite a newly signed agreement with armed factions offering a glimmer of stabilization, the election proceeds under a cloud of uncertainty and external competition.