CAR Prepares for the Polls as President Seeks a Third Mandate

On Sunday, the nation of CAR will hold a significant quadruple election, including the presidency, national assembly, and municipal offices.

A Competitive Presidential Field

A field of seven contenders are competing for the presidency, among them former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men were given approval to run by the constitutional court after initial bans. Dologuélé finished second in the 2015 and 2020 votes, while Dondra had a short tenure under the incumbent.

Opposition Hopes and Voter Frustrations

The challengers aims to tap into widespread frustration in a nation where conflict remains a daily reality. Over half a million people are internally displaced, with a comparable figure living as refugees in neighbouring countries.

"This is an opportunity to acknowledge the significant progress of the country," noted a UN regional official, though he added that obstacles remain.

Touadéra's Expected Victory

Despite the challenges, 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 toppled the government in 2013, sparking a civil war.

After a turbulent three-year interim, his perceived impartiality from the main militias fueled his runoff win in 2016.

Election Risks and Logistical Hurdles

There are fears that logistical problems and insecurity could mar the electoral process, especially in the countryside. The UN stabilization force, Minusca, is offering security and organizational aid that the state's crumbling infrastructure is unable to provide.

Further issues involve the voter list being published only online, a significant barrier in a country with limited internet access. These issues have led to an electoral boycott and could, as noted by analysts, "exclude many of the population."

Stakes of a Third Term

Many residents worry that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 constitutional referendum that abolished term limits and extended mandates—would entail expanded sway for outside interests.

The president has put faith in the private military group Wagner for his protection, and despite its founder's death, has pushed back against calls to integrate its fighters into a successor entity. Meanwhile, Rwanda has taken a separate strategy, focusing on commercial ventures within CAR.

Claims of National Disposal

Recent reports have claimed the government evicted its own soldiers from a internationally financed facility to accommodate a Rwandan livestock operation. A critical commentary charged the leadership of being "intent on sell off the country bit by bit."

Amid a newly signed agreement with rebel groups offering hope of stabilization, the election proceeds under a shadow of uncertainty and geopolitical rivalry.