🔗 Share this article CAR Prepares for the Ballot Box as President Pursues a Third Mandate This Sunday, the Central African Republic will undertake a significant series of four votes, encompassing the presidency, national assembly, and local seats. A Crowded Presidential Field A field of seven contenders are vying for the presidency, including former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men were given approval to stand by the constitutional court after initial bans. Dologuélé finished second in the last two elections, while Dondra had a short tenure under the current president. Opposition Hopes and Public Discontent The challengers aims to capitalize on widespread discontent in a country where violence remains a daily reality. Over half a million people are displaced within their own country, with a comparable figure living as exiles in neighbouring countries. "This represents an opportunity to acknowledge the remarkable recovery of the country," said a senior UN diplomat, though he added that challenges persist. The Incumbent's Path Despite the challenges, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is largely predicted to extend his run. He first entered politics in 2008 when named prime minister, serving until a rebel coalition toppled the government in 2013, sparking a civil war. After a turbulent transition period, his reputation for neutrality from the main militias fueled his runoff win in 2016. Security Concerns and Logistical Hurdles Concerns persist that logistical problems and violence could mar the vote, especially in rural areas. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is providing protection and organizational aid that the state's crumbling infrastructure is unable to provide. Further issues include the electoral roll being published only online, a major hurdle in a nation with scarce online access. These irregularities have led to an electoral boycott and could, according to observers, "exclude many of the population." Stakes of a Third Term Many residents fear that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 constitutional referendum that abolished term limits and extended mandates—would entail greater influence for foreign actors. The president has relied on the Russian mercenary group Wagner for personal security, and even after its founder's death, has pushed back against calls to fold its fighters into a new structure. Meanwhile, Rwanda has pursued a different approach, focusing on commercial interests within CAR. Allegations of Asset Sales Recent reports have stated the administration evicted its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded training centre to accommodate a foreign-run livestock operation. A critical editorial charged the leadership of being "determined to sell off the nation bit by bit." Despite a newly signed agreement with armed factions offering a glimmer of stabilization, the election proceeds under a shadow of uncertainty and geopolitical competition.