CAR Goes to the Voting Stations as President Aims for a Third Stint in Office
On Sunday, the Central African Republic will conduct a crucial quadruple election, encompassing the presidential race, parliament, and municipal positions.
A Competitive Race for the Presidency
A field of seven contenders are vying for the presidency, including former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men 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 incumbent.
Challengers' Strategy and Public Discontent
The challengers hopes to capitalize on widespread discontent in a nation where violence remains a constant threat. More than half a million people are displaced within their own country, with a comparable figure living as refugees in bordering states.
"This represents an opportunity to acknowledge the remarkable recovery of the nation," said a senior UN diplomat, adding that obstacles persist.
The Incumbent's Path
Despite the challenges, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a former mathematics professor, is widely expected to secure another term. He first entered politics in 2008 when named prime minister, serving until a insurgent alliance overthrew the government in 2013, triggering a sectarian conflict.
After a turbulent three-year interim, his perceived impartiality from the main militias fueled his second-round victory in 2016.
Security Concerns and Logistical Hurdles
Concerns persist that supply-chain issues and insecurity could disrupt the electoral process, especially in the countryside. The UN stabilization force, Minusca, is providing protection and organizational aid that the state's crumbling infrastructure cannot manage.
Additional problems involve the electoral roll being published only online, a significant barrier in a country with scarce online access. These irregularities have prompted an opposition boycott and could, as noted by analysts, "exclude many of the electorate."
Implications of Extended Rule
Many residents fear that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 constitutional referendum that abolished term limits and extended mandates—would entail expanded sway for foreign actors.
The president has relied on the Russian mercenary group Wagner for personal security, and even after its founder's death, has resisted calls to fold its fighters into a successor entity. In contrast, Rwanda has taken a different approach, focusing on commercial ventures within CAR.
Claims of National Disposal
Allegations have stated the government removed its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded training centre to make way for a Rwandan agricultural project. A critical commentary accused the leadership of being "intent on dispose of the nation piece by piece."
Amid a recent peace accord with rebel groups offering hope of calm, the election moves forward under a cloud of uncertainty and geopolitical rivalry.
