🔗 Share this article CAR Goes to the Ballot Box as Incumbent Seeks a Third Stint in Office On Sunday, the nation of CAR will conduct a pivotal quadruple election, including the presidency, parliament, and local seats. A Crowded Presidential Field Seven candidates are vying for the presidency, among them former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men were given approval to run by the constitutional court after initial bans. Dologuélé finished second in the last two elections, while Dondra briefly served under the incumbent. Challengers' Strategy and Voter Frustrations The opposition aims to tap into widespread frustration in a country where violence remains a constant threat. More than half a million people are internally displaced, with a similar number living as exiles in bordering states. "This is an opportunity to acknowledge the significant progress of the country," noted a senior UN diplomat, though he added that obstacles remain. Touadéra's Expected Victory Despite the challenges, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is largely predicted to secure another term. He transitioned into politics in 2008 when named prime minister, holding the post until a insurgent alliance overthrew the government in 2013, triggering a civil war. After a chaotic three-year interim, his reputation for impartiality from the main militias powered his runoff win in 2016. Election Risks and Voting Challenges There are fears that supply-chain issues and insecurity could disrupt the vote, especially in the countryside. The UN stabilization force, Minusca, is providing security and organizational aid that the country's weak systems is unable to provide. Further issues involve the voter list being made available only digitally, a major hurdle in a country with scarce online access. These irregularities have prompted an opposition boycott and could, according to observers, "exclude many of the population." Implications of Extended Rule Many citizens fear that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 charter change that abolished term limits and lengthened mandates—would entail greater influence for foreign actors. 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 new structure. In contrast, Rwanda has taken a different approach, focusing on commercial ventures within CAR. Claims of National Disposal Allegations have stated the government removed its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded facility to make way for a foreign-run livestock operation. A critical commentary accused the leadership of being "determined to sell off the nation piece by piece." Amid a recent peace accord with rebel groups offering a glimmer of stabilization, the election proceeds under a shadow of uncertainty and geopolitical competition.