🔗 Share this article CAR Prepares for the Voting Stations as President Aims for a Third Stint in Office This Sunday, the Central African Republic will hold a crucial quadruple election, including the presidency, parliament, and local offices. A Crowded Presidential Field Seven candidates are competing for the presidency, among them ex-premiers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men 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 incumbent. Challengers' Strategy and Voter Frustrations The challengers hopes to tap into widespread discontent in a nation where conflict remains a daily reality. Over half a million people are internally displaced, with a similar number living as refugees in neighbouring countries. "This is an opportunity to acknowledge the significant progress of the country," noted a UN regional official, adding that obstacles persist. The Incumbent's Path Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a former mathematics professor, is largely predicted to extend his run. He transitioned into politics in 2008 when named prime minister, holding the post until a insurgent alliance overthrew the government in 2013, triggering a sectarian conflict. After a chaotic transition period, his perceived neutrality from the warring factions fueled his runoff win in 2016. Election Risks and Logistical Hurdles There are fears that supply-chain issues and insecurity could mar the vote, especially in the countryside. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is providing protection and logistical support that the state's crumbling infrastructure cannot manage. Further issues include the electoral roll being published only online, a major hurdle in a country with scarce online access. These irregularities have led to an opposition boycott and could, as noted by analysts, "exclude many of the electorate." Implications of Extended Rule Many residents worry that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 charter change that abolished term limits and extended mandates—would mean greater influence for outside interests. 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. Meanwhile, Rwanda has taken a separate strategy, focusing on business interests within CAR. Claims of National Disposal Recent reports have stated the government removed its own soldiers from a internationally financed facility to accommodate a foreign-run agricultural project. A pro-opposition editorial charged the leadership of being "determined to sell off the nation piece by piece." Amid a newly signed agreement with armed factions offering a glimmer of calm, the vote proceeds under a shadow of doubt and geopolitical rivalry.