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This Sunday, the Central African Republic will conduct a significant series of four votes, including the presidency, parliament, and local positions.

A Competitive Race for the Presidency

Seven candidates are vying for the presidency, including ex-premiers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. The two were cleared to run by the constitutional court after initial bans. Dologuélé finished second in the last two elections, while Dondra briefly served under the current president.

Opposition Hopes and Public Discontent

The opposition hopes to capitalize on widespread frustration in a nation where conflict 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 is an chance to acknowledge the remarkable recovery of the country," said a senior UN diplomat, adding that challenges remain.

Touadéra's Expected Victory

Despite the challenges, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a former mathematics professor, is widely expected to secure another term. He first entered politics in 2008 when appointed prime minister, holding the post until a rebel coalition toppled the government in 2013, triggering a sectarian conflict.

After a turbulent transition period, his reputation for neutrality from the warring factions powered his runoff win in 2016.

Election Risks and Logistical Hurdles

There are fears that supply-chain issues and violence could mar the electoral process, especially in rural areas. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is offering protection and logistical support that the state's crumbling infrastructure cannot manage.

Additional problems include the electoral roll being made available only digitally, a significant barrier in a nation with limited internet access. These irregularities have prompted an electoral boycott and could, according to observers, "disenfranchise large segments of the electorate."

Implications of Extended Rule

Many residents fear that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 charter change that abolished term limits and extended mandates—would mean expanded sway for outside interests.

The president has relied on the private military group Wagner for personal security, and despite its founder's death, has resisted calls to integrate its fighters into a successor entity. In contrast, Rwanda has pursued a separate strategy, focusing on business interests within CAR.

Allegations of Asset Sales

Recent reports have claimed the government removed its own soldiers from a internationally financed training centre to accommodate a Rwandan livestock operation. A critical editorial charged the leadership of being "determined to sell off the country piece by piece."

Despite a newly signed agreement with armed factions offering a glimmer of stabilization, the election moves forward under a shadow of doubt and external rivalry.