CAR Prepares for the Ballot Box as Incumbent Seeks a Third Stint in Office
On Sunday, the Central African Republic will undertake a significant series of four votes, including the presidency, national assembly, and local positions.
A Competitive Presidential Field
A field of seven contenders are competing for the presidency, including former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men were cleared to stand by the constitutional court after being initially barred. Dologuélé finished second in the 2015 and 2020 votes, while Dondra briefly served under the current president.
Challengers' Strategy and Voter Frustrations
The challengers aims to tap into widespread frustration in a nation where violence remains a constant threat. Over half a million people are internally displaced, with a comparable figure living as exiles in bordering states.
"This is an chance to acknowledge the significant progress of the country," said a UN regional official, though he added that obstacles remain.
The Incumbent's Path
Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is largely predicted to extend his run. He first entered politics in 2008 when named prime minister, holding the post until a insurgent alliance toppled the government in 2013, sparking a civil war.
After a turbulent three-year interim, his perceived impartiality from the warring factions powered his runoff win in 2016.
Election Risks and Voting Challenges
There are fears that supply-chain issues and insecurity could disrupt the electoral process, particularly in rural areas. The UN stabilization force, Minusca, is providing security and logistical support that the state's crumbling infrastructure cannot manage.
Additional problems involve the electoral roll being published only online, a major hurdle in a country with scarce online access. These issues have prompted an opposition boycott and could, as noted by analysts, "exclude many of the electorate."
Stakes of a Third Term
Many citizens fear that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 constitutional referendum that scrapped term limits and lengthened mandates—would entail expanded sway for outside interests.
The president has put faith in the Russian mercenary group Wagner for personal security, and despite 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 business interests within CAR.
Allegations of Asset Sales
Allegations have stated the government removed its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded training centre to make way for a foreign-run livestock operation. A critical commentary charged the leadership of being "intent on sell off the nation bit by bit."
Amid a recent peace accord with rebel groups offering a glimmer of stabilization, the election proceeds under a shadow of doubt and external rivalry.
