🔗 Share this article CAR Goes to the Polls as President Aims for a Third Mandate On Sunday, the nation of CAR will conduct a crucial quadruple election, including the presidency, national assembly, and local seats. A Crowded Race for the Presidency Seven candidates are competing for the top office, among them former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. The two were given approval to stand by the high court after initial bans. Dologuélé finished second in the 2015 and 2020 votes, while Dondra briefly served under the incumbent. Opposition Hopes and Voter Frustrations The challengers aims to tap into widespread frustration in a country where violence remains a constant threat. More than half a million people are displaced within their own country, with a similar number living as exiles in neighbouring countries. "This represents an chance to acknowledge the remarkable recovery of the country," said a UN regional official, though he added that obstacles remain. Touadéra's Expected Victory Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is widely expected to secure another term. He first entered politics in 2008 when appointed prime minister, serving until a rebel coalition toppled the government in 2013, sparking a civil war. After a chaotic three-year interim, his perceived neutrality from the warring factions fueled his second-round victory in 2016. Election Risks and Voting Challenges There are fears that logistical problems and insecurity could mar the electoral process, particularly in rural areas. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is offering security and logistical support that the state's crumbling infrastructure is unable to provide. Further issues involve the voter list being published only online, a major hurdle in a country with limited internet access. These irregularities have led to an opposition boycott and could, as noted by analysts, "exclude many of the population." Stakes of a Third Term Many citizens worry that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 constitutional referendum that abolished term limits and lengthened mandates—would entail 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 pushed back against calls to integrate its fighters into a successor entity. Meanwhile, Rwanda has taken a different approach, focusing on commercial ventures within CAR. Claims of National Disposal Recent reports have stated the administration removed its own soldiers from a internationally financed training centre to accommodate a Rwandan agricultural project. A critical commentary accused the leadership of being "determined to dispose of the nation piece by piece." Amid a newly signed agreement with rebel groups offering a glimmer of calm, the vote moves forward under a cloud of doubt and geopolitical rivalry.