Central African Republic goes to polls as president seeks third term

"Central African Republic goes to the polls on Sunday with the president, Faustin-Archange Touadera, seeking a third term. As many as 2.3 million registered voters will cast ballots for what observers are calling a quadruple election: votes for the presidency and parliament as well as local and municipal offices. Seven candidates are on the ballot for president, including the former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuele and Henri-Marie Dondra, who were given clearance to stand by the constitutional court after initially being banned."

"Dologuele was the runner-up in the last two elections 2015 and 2020 while Dondra briefly served under the president. The opposition hopes to tap into the frustrations of people living in a country where conflict is a daily reality. More than half a million people remain internally displaced within CAR, with a similar number living as refugees in neighbouring countries. However, Touadera, a former mathematics professor who has been in power since 2016, is widely expected to extend his run in office."

"He went from an academic to a statesman after the then-president, Francois Bozize, appointed him prime minister in 2008. Touadera stayed in that role until 2013, when the administration was toppled by a rebel coalition, as sectarian violence triggered a civil war. After a chaotic three-year transition, Touadera ran for office, and the perception that he was neutral, independent of the ex-Seleka and anti-Balaka militias, powered his second-round victory."

The Central African Republic holds a quadruple election with up to 2.3 million registered voters choosing the president, parliament, and local and municipal offices. Seven presidential candidates include former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuele and Henri-Marie Dondra, who were reinstated by the constitutional court after initial bans. Dologuele was runner-up in 2015 and 2020, and Dondra briefly served under the president. More than half a million people remain internally displaced, with a similar number living as refugees in neighbouring countries. President Faustin-Archange Touadera, in power since 2016, is widely expected to win a third term. A peace accord was signed in April with two main rebel groups, and Human Rights Watch and UN officials noted tangible recovery alongside ongoing challenges.

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