CAR Heads to the Ballot Box as Incumbent Aims for a Third Mandate

On Sunday, the nation of CAR will undertake a crucial quadruple election, including the presidential race, national assembly, and local offices.

A Crowded Presidential Field

Seven candidates are vying for the top office, including ex-premiers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. The two were given approval to run by the constitutional court after initial bans. Dologuélé was the runner-up in the last two elections, while Dondra had a short tenure under the incumbent.

Opposition Hopes and Public Discontent

The opposition aims to capitalize on widespread frustration in a country where conflict remains a daily reality. More than half a million people are internally displaced, with a similar number living as refugees in bordering states.

"This represents an opportunity to acknowledge the significant progress of the country," noted a senior UN diplomat, though he added that challenges remain.

The Incumbent's Path

Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a former mathematics professor, is widely expected to secure another term. He transitioned into politics in 2008 when named prime minister, holding the post until a rebel coalition overthrew the government in 2013, sparking a civil war.

After a chaotic transition period, his perceived impartiality from the warring factions powered his runoff win in 2016.

Election Risks 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 logistical support that the country's weak systems is unable to provide.

Additional problems include the voter list being published only online, a significant barrier in a nation with limited internet access. These issues have prompted an opposition boycott and could, as noted by analysts, "disenfranchise large segments of the population."

Implications of Extended Rule

Many citizens fear that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 charter change that abolished term limits and lengthened mandates—would mean greater influence for outside interests.

The president has relied on the Russian mercenary group Wagner for his protection, and even after its founder's death, has pushed back against calls to integrate its fighters into a successor entity. Meanwhile, Rwanda has pursued a different approach, focusing on commercial interests 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 livestock operation. A pro-opposition editorial accused the leadership of being "determined to dispose of the nation bit by bit."

Amid a newly signed agreement with rebel groups offering a glimmer of calm, the vote moves forward under a shadow of uncertainty and geopolitical rivalry.