🔗 Share this article

On Sunday, the nation of CAR will undertake a significant series of four votes, encompassing the presidency, parliament, and local positions.

A Crowded Race for the Presidency

A field of seven contenders are vying for the presidency, among them former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. The two were cleared to run by the high court after being initially barred. Dologuélé finished second in the last two elections, while Dondra briefly served under the incumbent.

Challengers' Strategy and Voter Frustrations

The challengers hopes to capitalize on widespread frustration in a country where conflict remains a daily reality. Over half a million people are displaced within their own country, with a similar number living as exiles in bordering states.

"This represents an opportunity to commend the remarkable recovery of the nation," said a senior UN diplomat, though he added that obstacles remain.

The Incumbent's Path

Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is widely expected to extend his run. He transitioned into politics in 2008 when named prime minister, holding the post until a rebel coalition toppled the government in 2013, triggering a sectarian conflict.

After a turbulent three-year interim, his reputation for neutrality from the main militias fueled his second-round victory in 2016.

Election Risks and Logistical Hurdles

There are fears that logistical problems and violence could mar the vote, especially in the countryside. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is providing security and logistical support that the state's crumbling infrastructure is unable to provide.

Additional problems include the electoral roll being made available only digitally, a significant barrier in a country with scarce online access. These issues have led to an electoral 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 constitutional referendum that abolished term limits and extended mandates—would mean expanded sway for foreign actors.

The president has put faith in the Russian mercenary group Wagner for his protection, and despite its founder's death, has pushed back against calls to fold its fighters into a successor entity. In contrast, Rwanda has taken a different approach, focusing on business interests within CAR.

Allegations of Asset Sales

Recent reports have claimed the administration evicted its own soldiers from a internationally financed facility to make way for a foreign-run agricultural project. A critical editorial charged the leadership of being "determined to dispose of the country bit by bit."

Amid a newly signed agreement with armed factions offering hope of calm, the election proceeds under a shadow of uncertainty and geopolitical competition.