On Sunday, citizens of the Central African Republic (CAR) are poised to participate in a landmark election marked by significant political tension and historical implications. President Faustin-Archange Touadera is seeking to extend his tenure through a controversial referendum that removed presidential term limits, prompting discussions about the challenges of building a stable political system in a nation grappling with decades of conflict. This election not only offers the first opportunity for local elections in 40 years but also reflects the country’s ongoing struggle for peace, prosperity, and democratic governance amid an uncertain global landscape.
Citizens of the Central African Republic (CAR) will cast their votes in presidential and legislative elections on Sunday, amidst a backdrop of political controversy as President Faustin-Archange Touadera seeks to extend his tenure beyond the traditional two-term limit for the first time in the nation’s history. The voting follows a contentious referendum held earlier this year, which abolished presidential term limits that had been in place since independence. This change, along with delays impacting the registration of major opposition candidates, has led certain opposition groups to label the upcoming vote as a “sham,” prompting calls for a boycott.
This election also marks the first local elections in CAR in four decades, following a prolonged period of political instability and conflict, including a civil war that flared up in 2013 between the mainly Muslim Seleka rebel group and predominantly Christian Anti-balaka fighters. This conflict has resulted in the displacement of approximately one million people and has raised concerns about the preparedness of the electoral body to conduct elections of this scale.
Situated between larger nations such as Chad and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, CAR is home to a population of around 5.5 million, who speak both French and Sango. Despite its abundance of natural resources—including crude oil, gold, and uranium—CAR remains one of Africa’s poorest nations, in part due to ongoing political turmoil since its independence from France in 1960. The government increasingly relies on Russian support to bolster security in major cities against rebel incursions.
Over 2.3 million registered voters, including nearly 749,000 new registrations since the last election in 2020, are slated to vote for their next president, as well as regional and municipal officials. Historical turnout has averaged around 62 percent, but concerns about election preparedness abound as the National Elections Authority shifted the municipal elections from August to December due to a lack of funding and logistical challenges. The last-minute changes have exacerbated doubts among observers regarding the electoral authority’s readiness.
The presidential candidates this election include Touadera, who has campaigned on promises of peace and development amidst allegations of oppression toward opposition members and vote rigging. His administration has overseen some economic progress, such as new infrastructure projects, yet the World Bank rates the country’s economy as stagnant. Significant international support has aided in stabilizing the nation, with a United Nations peacekeeping force, Rwandan troops, and Russian mercenaries helping to quell violence in recent years.
Touadera’s major opponents, Anicet-Georges Dologuele and Henri-Marie Dondra, come from different backgrounds; Dologuele has previously served as prime minister and has a history in banking, while Dondra held finance minister responsibilities. Nonetheless, election delays and bureaucratic tensions have hindered their candidacies and raised questions of democratic legitimacy.
The elections are seen as crucial not just for institutional governance but for addressing two pressing issues in the country: ongoing violence from armed groups and the deep-seated poverty affecting more than 60 percent of the population. Despite challenges, the citizens of CAR remain hopeful for a leadership that can navigate peace, security, and progress amid ongoing struggles for democracy and economic development.
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