CAR Prepares for the Voting Stations as President Seeks a Third Mandate
On Sunday, the Central African Republic will undertake a significant quadruple election, including the presidential race, parliament, and local offices.
A Crowded Presidential Field
Seven candidates are vying for the presidency, including ex-premiers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men were cleared to stand by the high court after initial bans. Dologuélé finished second in the last two elections, while Dondra had a short tenure under the current president.
Challengers' Strategy and Public Discontent
The opposition hopes to capitalize on widespread discontent in a country where conflict remains a constant threat. More than half a million people are displaced within their own country, with a similar number living as refugees in neighbouring countries.
"This is an chance to commend the remarkable recovery of the country," said a senior UN diplomat, adding that challenges remain.
The Incumbent's Path
Despite the challenges, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a former mathematics professor, is largely predicted to extend his run. He transitioned into politics in 2008 when appointed prime minister, serving until a insurgent alliance overthrew the government in 2013, sparking a civil war.
After a chaotic transition period, his reputation for impartiality from the main militias powered his second-round victory in 2016.
Security Concerns and Logistical Hurdles
There are fears that logistical problems and insecurity could disrupt the electoral process, especially in rural areas. The UN stabilization force, Minusca, is providing security and organizational aid that the state's crumbling infrastructure is unable to provide.
Additional problems involve the electoral roll being made available only digitally, a major hurdle in a nation with scarce online access. These irregularities have prompted an electoral boycott and could, as noted by analysts, "disenfranchise large segments of the population."
Implications of Extended Rule
Many citizens worry that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 constitutional referendum that scrapped term limits and lengthened mandates—would entail greater influence for outside interests.
The president has put faith in the private military group Wagner for personal security, and despite its founder's death, has resisted calls to fold its fighters into a new structure. In contrast, Rwanda has taken a separate strategy, focusing on commercial interests within CAR.
Claims of National Disposal
Recent reports have stated the government removed its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded training centre to make way for a Rwandan livestock operation. A critical commentary accused the leadership of being "intent on dispose of the country piece by piece."
Amid a recent peace accord with rebel groups offering a glimmer of stabilization, the vote proceeds under a cloud of doubt and external competition.
