🔗 Share this article CAR Prepares for the Polls as President Pursues a Third Mandate On Sunday, the nation of CAR will undertake a pivotal series of four votes, including the presidency, parliament, and local positions. A Crowded Race for the Presidency A field of seven contenders are competing for the presidency, among them ex-premiers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. The two were cleared to run by the high court after being initially barred. Dologuélé finished second in the last two elections, while Dondra had a short tenure under the incumbent. Opposition Hopes and Voter Frustrations The opposition hopes to capitalize on widespread frustration in a country where conflict remains a constant threat. More than half a million people are internally displaced, with a comparable figure living as exiles in bordering states. "This represents an chance to commend the remarkable recovery of the nation," noted a UN regional official, adding that obstacles persist. Touadéra's Expected Victory Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is largely predicted to secure another term. He first entered politics in 2008 when appointed prime minister, serving until a rebel coalition overthrew the government in 2013, triggering a civil war. After a chaotic three-year interim, his reputation for neutrality from the warring factions powered his runoff win in 2016. Security Concerns and Voting Challenges Concerns persist that supply-chain issues and insecurity could mar the vote, especially in the countryside. The UN stabilization force, Minusca, is offering security and organizational aid that the state's crumbling infrastructure is unable to provide. Additional problems include the voter list being made available only digitally, a major hurdle in a nation with scarce online access. These issues have led to an electoral boycott and could, as noted by analysts, "exclude many of the electorate." Stakes of a Third Term Many residents fear that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 charter change that scrapped term limits and extended mandates—would entail greater influence for outside interests. The president has put faith in the Russian mercenary group Wagner for personal security, and even after its founder's death, has pushed back against calls to integrate its fighters into a successor entity. In contrast, Rwanda has taken a separate strategy, focusing on business ventures within CAR. Claims of National Disposal Recent reports have stated the government evicted its own soldiers from a internationally financed training centre to make way for a Rwandan livestock operation. A pro-opposition commentary charged the leadership of being "intent on dispose of the nation bit by bit." Despite a recent peace accord with rebel groups offering hope of calm, the election proceeds under a shadow of doubt and external competition.