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On Sunday, the Central African Republic will undertake a pivotal quadruple election, including the presidency, national assembly, and local positions.

A Crowded Race for the Presidency

Seven candidates are vying for the top office, among them former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men 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 current president.

Challengers' Strategy and Voter Frustrations

The challengers hopes to capitalize on widespread discontent in a nation where violence remains a constant threat. More than half a million people are internally displaced, with a comparable figure living as exiles in neighbouring countries.

"This represents an opportunity to acknowledge the significant progress of the nation," noted a UN regional official, though he added that obstacles persist.

The Incumbent's Path

Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a former mathematics professor, is largely predicted to secure another term. He first entered politics in 2008 when appointed prime minister, serving until a insurgent alliance overthrew the government in 2013, sparking a sectarian conflict.

After a chaotic three-year interim, his reputation for impartiality from the warring factions fueled his second-round victory in 2016.

Election Risks and Voting Challenges

There are fears that logistical problems and violence could disrupt the electoral process, particularly in the countryside. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is offering security and organizational aid 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 nation with scarce online access. These issues have prompted an opposition boycott and could, as noted by analysts, "exclude many of the population."

Stakes of a Third Term

Many residents fear that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 constitutional referendum that scrapped term limits and extended mandates—would entail expanded sway for foreign actors.

The president has put faith in 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 new structure. In contrast, Rwanda has pursued a separate strategy, focusing on business ventures within CAR.

Allegations of Asset Sales

Allegations have claimed the government removed its own soldiers from a internationally financed facility to accommodate a Rwandan agricultural project. A pro-opposition editorial accused the leadership of being "determined to sell off the country bit by bit."

Despite a newly signed agreement with rebel groups offering a glimmer of calm, the election proceeds under a cloud of uncertainty and external competition.