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On Sunday, the Central African Republic will hold a crucial series of four votes, including the presidential race, national assembly, and local positions.

A Competitive Race for the Presidency

Seven candidates are vying for the presidency, among them ex-premiers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. The two were cleared to run by the constitutional court after being initially barred. Dologuélé was the runner-up in the 2015 and 2020 votes, while Dondra had a short tenure under the current president.

Challengers' Strategy and Voter Frustrations

The opposition aims to tap into widespread discontent in a nation where conflict remains a constant threat. More than half a million people are displaced within their own country, with a similar number living as exiles in bordering states.

"This is an chance to commend the significant progress of the nation," said a UN regional official, though he added that obstacles persist.

Touadéra's Expected Victory

Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is largely predicted to extend his run. He first entered politics in 2008 when named prime minister, serving until a insurgent alliance overthrew the government in 2013, sparking a sectarian conflict.

After a turbulent transition period, his reputation for neutrality from the warring factions powered his runoff win in 2016.

Election Risks and Voting Challenges

Concerns persist that logistical problems and violence could disrupt the electoral process, especially in the countryside. The UN stabilization force, Minusca, is offering protection and organizational aid that the country's weak systems cannot manage.

Additional problems include the voter list being published only online, a major hurdle in a nation with limited internet access. These irregularities have prompted an opposition boycott and could, according to observers, "exclude many of the population."

Stakes of a Third Term

Many citizens fear that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 constitutional referendum that abolished term limits and lengthened 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 resisted calls to integrate its fighters into a successor entity. Meanwhile, Rwanda has taken a different approach, focusing on business ventures within CAR.

Claims of National Disposal

Recent reports have claimed the government removed its own soldiers from a internationally financed facility to accommodate a foreign-run agricultural project. A critical editorial charged the leadership of being "intent on dispose of the nation piece by piece."

Amid a newly signed agreement with armed factions offering hope of stabilization, the election proceeds under a cloud of doubt and external competition.