CAR Prepares for the Polls as President Pursues a Third Stint in Office
This Sunday, the nation of CAR will hold a significant quadruple election, including the presidency, national assembly, and local seats.
A Crowded Race for the Presidency
Seven candidates are vying for the top office, including former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men were cleared to stand by the high court after being initially barred. Dologuélé was the runner-up in the last two elections, while Dondra had a short tenure under the incumbent.
Opposition Hopes and Voter Frustrations
The opposition hopes to capitalize on widespread discontent in a country where violence remains a constant threat. Over half a million people are displaced within their own country, with a comparable figure 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 competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a former mathematics professor, is largely predicted 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, sparking a sectarian conflict.
After a turbulent three-year interim, his reputation for impartiality from the warring factions powered his runoff win in 2016.
Election Risks and Voting Challenges
Concerns persist that logistical problems and insecurity could mar 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 involve the electoral roll being made available only digitally, a major hurdle in a country with limited internet access. These issues have led to an opposition boycott and could, according to observers, "disenfranchise large segments of the electorate."
Stakes of a Third Term
Many citizens worry that another term for TouadĂ©raâenabled by a 2023 charter change that scrapped term limits and lengthened mandatesâwould entail expanded sway for foreign actors.
The president has relied on the Russian mercenary 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 pursued a separate strategy, focusing on commercial ventures within CAR.
Allegations of Asset Sales
Allegations have stated the government evicted its own soldiers from a internationally financed training centre to accommodate a foreign-run agricultural project. A critical editorial charged the leadership of being "intent on sell off the country piece by piece."
Despite a recent peace accord with rebel groups offering a glimmer of calm, the election proceeds under a cloud of doubt and external competition.
