CAR Prepares for the Voting Stations as President Seeks a Third Mandate

This Sunday, the nation of CAR will conduct a pivotal quadruple election, encompassing the presidential race, parliament, and local seats.

A Competitive Race for the Presidency

Seven candidates are competing for the top office, among them former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. The two were cleared to stand by the high court after initial bans. Dologuélé was the runner-up in the last two elections, while Dondra had a short tenure under the current president.

Challengers' Strategy and Voter Frustrations

The challengers aims to capitalize on widespread frustration in a nation where conflict remains a daily reality. More than half a million people are displaced within their own country, with a comparable figure living as exiles in neighbouring countries.

"This represents an opportunity to commend the remarkable recovery of the nation," noted a senior UN diplomat, adding that obstacles remain.

The Incumbent's Path

Despite the challenges, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a former mathematics professor, is largely predicted to extend his run. He first entered politics in 2008 when named prime minister, serving until a rebel coalition overthrew the government in 2013, triggering a sectarian conflict.

After a chaotic transition period, his reputation for impartiality from the main militias fueled his second-round victory 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 peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is providing security and logistical support that the country's weak systems is unable to provide.

Additional problems include the voter list being made available only digitally, a major hurdle in a country with scarce online access. These irregularities have prompted an opposition boycott and could, according to observers, "disenfranchise large segments of the population."

Stakes of a Third Term

Many residents worry that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 constitutional referendum that scrapped term limits and lengthened mandates—would mean greater influence for outside interests.

The president has put faith in the Russian mercenary group Wagner for personal security, and even after its founder's death, has resisted calls to integrate its fighters into a successor entity. Meanwhile, Rwanda has taken a different approach, focusing on commercial interests within CAR.

Claims of National Disposal

Allegations have claimed the government evicted its own soldiers from a internationally financed training centre to accommodate a Rwandan livestock operation. A critical editorial accused the leadership of being "determined to sell off the country bit by bit."

Amid a recent peace accord with armed factions offering hope of stabilization, the election moves forward under a shadow of uncertainty and external rivalry.