CAR Prepares for the Voting Stations as President Pursues a Third Stint in Office
On Sunday, the nation of CAR will conduct a pivotal series of four votes, including the presidential race, parliament, and local positions.
A Crowded Presidential Field
Seven candidates are vying for the presidency, among them ex-premiers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. The two were given approval to run by the high court after initial bans. Dologuélé finished second in the last two elections, while Dondra had a short tenure under the incumbent.
Challengers' Strategy and Public Discontent
The opposition hopes to capitalize on widespread discontent in a country where conflict remains a daily reality. 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 country," noted a senior UN diplomat, though he added that obstacles remain.
Touadéra's Expected Victory
Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is widely expected to secure another term. He transitioned into politics in 2008 when named prime minister, holding the post until a rebel coalition toppled the government in 2013, sparking a sectarian conflict.
After a chaotic transition period, his perceived neutrality from the main militias fueled his runoff win in 2016.
Election Risks and Voting Challenges
There are fears that logistical problems and insecurity could disrupt the vote, especially in the countryside. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is providing protection and organizational aid that the state's crumbling infrastructure cannot manage.
Further issues include the voter list being published only online, a major hurdle in a country with scarce online access. These issues have led to an electoral boycott and could, according to observers, "exclude many of the electorate."
Stakes of a Third Term
Many residents fear that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 charter change that abolished term limits and lengthened mandates—would entail greater influence for outside interests.
The president has put faith in the private military group Wagner for his protection, and despite its founder's death, has resisted calls to fold its fighters into a new structure. Meanwhile, Rwanda has taken a different approach, focusing on business interests within CAR.
Claims of National Disposal
Recent reports have claimed the government evicted its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded facility to accommodate a foreign-run livestock operation. A critical editorial accused 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 calm, the vote proceeds under a cloud of uncertainty and external competition.
