CAR Heads to the Voting Stations as President Pursues a Third Mandate
On Sunday, the nation of CAR will hold a crucial quadruple election, including the presidency, national assembly, and local seats.
A Competitive Presidential Field
Seven candidates are competing for the presidency, including ex-premiers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. The two were cleared to stand by the high court after being initially barred. Dologuélé was the runner-up in the 2015 and 2020 votes, while Dondra briefly served under the current president.
Opposition Hopes and Voter Frustrations
The opposition hopes to tap into widespread frustration in a nation where violence remains a daily reality. More than half a million people are displaced within their own country, with a similar number living as exiles in neighbouring countries.
"This represents an chance to commend the significant progress of the nation," noted a UN regional official, though he added that challenges persist.
The Incumbent's Path
Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is largely predicted to secure another term. He transitioned into politics in 2008 when named prime minister, serving until a rebel coalition toppled the government in 2013, triggering a sectarian conflict.
After a turbulent transition period, his perceived neutrality from the warring factions fueled his second-round victory in 2016.
Election Risks and Voting Challenges
There are fears that supply-chain issues and violence could mar the electoral process, especially in rural areas. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is providing security and organizational aid that the state's crumbling infrastructure cannot manage.
Further issues involve the electoral roll being made available only digitally, a major hurdle in a country with scarce online access. These irregularities have led to an opposition boycott and could, according to observers, "exclude many of the electorate."
Implications of Extended Rule
Many citizens worry that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 constitutional referendum that abolished term limits and extended mandates—would mean expanded sway for outside interests.
The president has relied on 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. In contrast, Rwanda has pursued a different approach, focusing on commercial ventures 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 Rwandan livestock operation. A critical editorial accused the leadership of being "determined to sell off the nation piece by piece."
Despite a newly signed agreement with armed factions offering hope of stabilization, the vote proceeds under a shadow of doubt and external competition.
