Central African Republic’s incumbent president, a Russian ally, eyes a third term in key elections

Voters in the Central African Republic headed to the polls Sunday in a pivotal election that could strengthen Russia’s influence in the region, as incumbent President Faustin Archange Touadéra seeks a third term in office.

The unprecedented electoral event combines presidential, legislative, regional, and municipal ballots, with approximately 2.4 million registered voters participating in this significant democratic exercise for the conflict-affected nation.

Touadéra, who has positioned himself as a champion of stability and peace, faces six challengers, including former prime ministers Anicet-Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. However, the main opposition coalition, the Republican Bloc for the Defense of the Constitution, announced in October it would boycott the election, citing an uneven political landscape.

Polling stations experienced initial delays, with voting starting an hour late in some districts of Bangui, the capital. Voters reported difficulties finding their names on electoral rolls or locating their assigned voting stations.

“When we arrived, no one was ready. With these delays, we risk voting until 8 p.m.,” said Barthélemy Wadenguende, a voter in Bangui.

The election takes place against a backdrop of Russia’s growing influence in the country. The Central African Republic was among the first African nations to welcome Russian-backed forces, initially from the Wagner Group, to help combat armed rebel groups and protect government authorities. This year, tensions have risen as Moscow seeks to replace Wagner mercenaries with its military unit Africa Corps.

Analysts believe Touadéra is heavily favored to win after consolidating control of state institutions in recent years. A third term would likely strengthen Russia’s security and economic interests in the mineral-rich but impoverished nation, even as Moscow faces international scrutiny over its mercenaries’ roles across Africa.

“Our country has suffered greatly from brutal regime changes, a cycle that repeats itself every ten years. I call on the people of the Central African Republic to choose the stability of institutions and a prosperous Central African Republic,” Touadéra told The Associated Press in a recent interview.

Meanwhile, Dologuélé, considered Touadéra’s strongest challenger and a candidate in both the 2016 and 2020 elections, has promised to revitalize the country’s struggling economy.

“President Touadéra destroyed everything. Our programme is a solid summary to get the country out of poverty. What country is this that produces nothing and exports almost nothing, except beer? We must revive the economy,” he said.

Security remains voters’ primary concern in the Central African Republic, which has been plagued by fighting between government forces and armed groups since 2013, when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power and ousted then-President François Bozizé. A 2019 peace agreement only partially reduced the violence, with several of the 14 signatory armed groups later withdrawing from the accord and resuming hostilities.

The United Nations peacekeeping mission, MINUSCA, has provided crucial electoral logistics support. Currently maintaining approximately 14,000 military personnel and 3,000 police members, the mission will help secure election sites. In November, the UN Security Council extended the mission for another year but announced plans to scale down its presence due to budget constraints.

“Because of the peace deals, United Nations peacekeeping efforts and security support from Wagner and from the Rwandans, the country is in a more secure place than it was during the last electoral cycle in 2020,” noted Lewis Mudge, the Central Africa director at Human Rights Watch.

The Electoral Authority faced significant logistical challenges in delivering election materials across the vast, densely forested nation with poor infrastructure and limited access to remote communities.

Provisional results are expected within a week. If no presidential candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election will be held.

This election represents a critical juncture for the Central African Republic, potentially cementing Russia’s strategic foothold in central Africa while determining the trajectory of security and economic development in a nation that has struggled with poverty and conflict for decades.