Central African Republic election: Who's running and what's at stake?

"Citizens of the Central African Republic (CAR) will vote on Sunday in highly controversial presidential and legislative elections expected to extend President Faustin-Archange Touadera's tenure beyond two terms for the first time in the country's history. Touadera, who helped put his country on the map when he adopted Bitcoin as one of its legal tenders in 2022, had earlier pushed through a referendum abolishing presidential term limits."

"CAR will also hold local elections for the first time in 40 years, after a long period of destabilising political conflict, including an ongoing civil war between the predominantly Muslim Seleka rebel movement and the largely Christian Anti-balaka armed groups, which has led to the displacement of one million people. There are fears that the country's electoral body is not equipped to handle an election on this scale."

"Although rich in resources like crude oil, gold and uranium, persistent political instability since independence from France in 1960, and the ongoing civil war (2013-present) have kept CAR one of Africa's poorest nations. For security, CAR is increasingly reliant on Russian assistance to guard major cities against rebels. Citizens of CAR are referred to as Central Africans. The country's largest city and capital is Bangui, named after the Ubangi River, which forms a natural border between CAR and the DRC."

Citizens of the Central African Republic will vote in contentious presidential and legislative elections that could extend President Faustin-Archange Touadera beyond two terms after a referendum abolished term limits. Touadera adopted Bitcoin as legal tender in 2022 and faced delays that nearly prevented two major challengers' confirmation, prompting some opposition groups to boycott and call the vote a sham. Local elections will be held for the first time in 40 years amid prolonged destabilising conflict, including a civil war between Seleka rebels and Anti-balaka groups that has displaced about one million people. The electoral body faces capacity concerns, and the government increasingly relies on Russian security assistance.

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