CAR Goes to the Ballot Box as Incumbent Aims for a Third Stint in Office
On Sunday, the nation of CAR will undertake a pivotal quadruple election, encompassing the presidential race, national assembly, and municipal offices.
A Crowded Race for the Presidency
Seven candidates are vying 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 being initially barred. Dologuélé finished second in the 2015 and 2020 votes, while Dondra briefly served under the incumbent.
Challengers' Strategy and Voter Frustrations
The challengers aims to capitalize on widespread frustration in a nation where violence remains a constant threat. Over half a million people are internally displaced, with a similar number living as exiles in bordering states.
"This is an chance to commend the remarkable recovery of the nation," said a senior UN diplomat, adding that obstacles persist.
The Incumbent's Path
Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is widely expected to secure another term. He first entered politics in 2008 when appointed prime minister, serving until a rebel coalition overthrew the government in 2013, sparking a sectarian conflict.
After a turbulent transition period, his perceived impartiality from the warring factions fueled his runoff win in 2016.
Security Concerns and Voting Challenges
Concerns persist that logistical problems and insecurity could disrupt the electoral process, particularly in the countryside. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is offering protection and organizational aid that the state's crumbling infrastructure is unable to provide.
Further issues involve the voter list being made available only digitally, a significant barrier in a country with scarce online access. These issues have prompted an electoral boycott and could, according to observers, "exclude many of the population."
Implications of Extended Rule
Many residents worry that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 constitutional referendum that abolished term limits and lengthened mandates—would entail greater influence for outside interests.
The president has relied on the private military group Wagner for personal security, and despite its founder's death, has resisted calls to fold its fighters into a successor entity. In contrast, Rwanda has pursued a separate strategy, focusing on commercial ventures within CAR.
Claims of National Disposal
Allegations have claimed the government evicted its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded training centre to accommodate a Rwandan livestock operation. A critical commentary charged the leadership of being "intent on dispose of the nation bit by bit."
Despite a newly signed agreement with armed factions offering a glimmer of stabilization, the election moves forward under a shadow of doubt and geopolitical rivalry.
