The President of the Central African Republic is vying for a controversial third term as polling begins in the country.
Incumbent President Faustin-Archange Touadéra is seeking a controversial third term amid an opposition boycott and a heavy security presence involving both UN peacekeepers and Russian “Africa Corps” units.
Despite delays in Bangui and an opposition boycott, President Touadéra is widely expected to secure a third term, further consolidating Russia’s “Africa Corps” presence in the region.
Over two million voters are expected to cast their ballots in the multilevel election to choose the president along with national, regional and municipal lawmakers.
Preliminary results for the elections are expected by January 5.
Touadera, widely expected to win, has focused his campaign on security and stability in one of the world’s poorest nations, long plagued by conflict.
The opposition field includes six candidates, led by former prime ministers Anicet-Georges Dologuele and Henri-Marie Dondra.
Touadera’s allies had unsuccessfully tried to have them disqualified for allegedly holding foreign citizenship.
Touadera’s bid for a third term follows a 2023 constitutional referendum that removed the previous two-term presidential limit.
Opponents and critics say the 68-year-old wants to maintain his grip on power for life.
CAR was the first country in West and Central Africa to bring in Russia’s Wagner mercenaries in 2018.
During his decade in office, Touadera has relied on Russian mercenaries and Rwandan soldiers for security support>
Security has been a central theme in Touadera’s tenure and campaign. During this year’s electoral campaign, mercenaries were deployed alongside the police and army in the streets of the capital, Bangui.
CAR has seen unrest ease after Touadera signed peace deals with several rebel groups earlier this year. But the president says the security gains are fragile.
A smooth vote could bolster Touadera’s claims that stability is returning to the country.
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