CAR Prepares for the Ballot Box as President Pursues a Third Term
On Sunday, the nation of CAR will undertake a crucial quadruple election, including the presidential race, national assembly, and municipal offices.
A Crowded Presidential Field
Seven candidates are competing for the top office, among them ex-premiers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. The two were cleared to run by the high court after being initially barred. Dologuélé was the runner-up in the 2015 and 2020 votes, while Dondra had a short tenure under the incumbent.
Opposition Hopes and Voter Frustrations
The opposition hopes to tap into widespread frustration in a nation where conflict remains a constant threat. Over half a million people are displaced within their own country, with a similar number living as exiles in bordering states.
"This represents an opportunity to commend the remarkable recovery of the nation," said a UN regional official, adding that challenges persist.
Touadéra's Expected Victory
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, holding the post until a insurgent alliance toppled the government in 2013, triggering a sectarian conflict.
After a chaotic three-year interim, his reputation for impartiality from the main militias powered his runoff win in 2016.
Security Concerns and Logistical Hurdles
Concerns persist that logistical problems and insecurity could disrupt the electoral process, especially in rural areas. The UN stabilization force, Minusca, is providing security and organizational aid that the country's weak systems is unable to provide.
Further issues include the voter list being made available only digitally, a significant barrier in a country with limited internet access. These issues have prompted an electoral boycott and could, according to observers, "exclude many of the population."
Implications of Extended Rule
Many residents worry that another term for TouadĂ©raâenabled by a 2023 constitutional referendum that abolished term limits and extended mandatesâwould entail greater influence for outside interests.
The president has relied on 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.
Allegations of Asset Sales
Recent reports have claimed the administration evicted its own soldiers from a internationally financed facility to accommodate a Rwandan agricultural project. A critical editorial accused the leadership of being "intent on dispose of the country piece by piece."
Amid a newly signed agreement with rebel groups offering hope of stabilization, the vote proceeds under a shadow of uncertainty and external rivalry.
