On Sunday, the Central African Republic will undertake a significant quadruple election, encompassing the presidential race, parliament, and local offices.
Seven candidates are competing 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 was the runner-up in the last two elections, while Dondra briefly served under the incumbent.
The challengers aims to capitalize on widespread frustration in a country where conflict remains a daily reality. More than half a million people are internally displaced, with a similar number living as refugees in neighbouring countries.
"This represents an opportunity to commend the remarkable recovery of the country," noted a UN regional official, though he added that obstacles remain.
Despite the challenges, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a former mathematics professor, is largely predicted to extend his run. He transitioned into politics in 2008 when appointed prime minister, holding the post until a insurgent alliance overthrew the government in 2013, sparking a civil war.
After a turbulent three-year interim, his reputation for impartiality from the warring factions powered his runoff win in 2016.
Concerns persist that logistical problems and insecurity could mar the vote, particularly in the countryside. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is offering security and logistical support that the country's weak systems is unable to provide.
Additional problems include the voter list being published only online, a major hurdle in a country with limited internet access. These issues have led to an opposition boycott and could, according to observers, "disenfranchise large segments of the population."
Many citizens worry that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 constitutional referendum that scrapped term limits and extended mandates—would entail greater influence for outside interests.
The president has relied on the Russian mercenary group Wagner for his protection, and even after its founder's death, has pushed back against calls to integrate its fighters into a successor entity. Meanwhile, Rwanda has pursued a separate strategy, focusing on commercial ventures within CAR.
Allegations have stated the administration removed its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded facility to make way for a foreign-run agricultural project. A critical editorial accused the leadership of being "determined to dispose of the country piece by piece."
Despite a newly signed agreement with armed factions offering hope of stabilization, the vote moves forward under a shadow of doubt and external rivalry.
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