CAR Heads to the Polls as Incumbent Aims for a Third Mandate
On Sunday, the nation of CAR will hold a significant series of four votes, encompassing the presidency, national assembly, and municipal offices.
A Crowded Presidential Field
Seven candidates are vying for the top office, including former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. The two were cleared to run by the constitutional court after being initially barred. Dologuélé was the runner-up in the 2015 and 2020 votes, while Dondra had a short tenure under the current president.
Challengers' Strategy and Public Discontent
The challengers hopes to capitalize on widespread frustration in a country where violence remains a daily reality. Over half a million people are internally displaced, with a similar number living as refugees in neighbouring countries.
"This represents an chance to commend the significant progress of the nation," noted a senior UN diplomat, though he added that challenges remain.
The Incumbent's Path
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 appointed prime minister, holding the post until a insurgent alliance overthrew the government in 2013, sparking a sectarian conflict.
After a chaotic transition period, his perceived impartiality from the main militias powered his second-round victory in 2016.
Election Risks and Voting Challenges
Concerns persist that logistical problems and insecurity could disrupt the vote, especially in the countryside. The UN stabilization force, Minusca, is offering protection and logistical support that the country's weak systems cannot manage.
Further issues involve the voter list being published only online, a major hurdle in a country with scarce online access. These irregularities have prompted an electoral boycott and could, according to observers, "exclude many of the electorate."
Implications of Extended Rule
Many citizens fear that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 charter change that scrapped term limits and lengthened mandates—would mean expanded sway for foreign actors.
The president has relied on the Russian mercenary group Wagner for his protection, and even after its founder's death, has resisted calls to fold its fighters into a successor entity. Meanwhile, Rwanda has taken 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 facility to accommodate a foreign-run livestock operation. A critical editorial accused the leadership of being "intent on sell off the nation piece by piece."
Despite a newly signed agreement with armed factions offering hope of calm, the vote proceeds under a shadow of doubt and external rivalry.