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On Sunday, the nation of CAR will undertake a pivotal quadruple election, encompassing the presidential race, parliament, and municipal offices.

A Crowded Presidential Field

Seven candidates are competing for the top office, among them ex-premiers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men were given approval to stand by the high court after being initially barred. Dologuélé was the runner-up in the 2015 and 2020 votes, while Dondra briefly served under the incumbent.

Challengers' Strategy and Voter Frustrations

The opposition aims to capitalize on widespread frustration in a country 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 neighbouring countries.

"This represents an opportunity to acknowledge the significant progress of the country," noted a senior UN diplomat, though he added that obstacles persist.

Touadéra's Expected Victory

Despite the challenges, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is largely predicted to extend his run. He transitioned into politics in 2008 when named prime minister, serving until a rebel coalition toppled the government in 2013, triggering a civil war.

After a turbulent transition period, his perceived neutrality from the warring factions powered his second-round victory in 2016.

Security Concerns and Logistical Hurdles

Concerns persist that supply-chain issues and violence 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 cannot manage.

Additional problems include the electoral roll being published only online, a significant barrier in a nation with limited internet access. These irregularities have led to an electoral boycott and could, as noted by analysts, "exclude many of the population."

Stakes of a Third Term

Many citizens worry that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 constitutional referendum that scrapped term limits and lengthened mandates—would mean expanded sway for foreign actors.

The president has relied on the Russian mercenary group Wagner for personal security, and even after its founder's death, has pushed back against calls to fold its fighters into a successor entity. In contrast, Rwanda has pursued a separate strategy, focusing on business ventures within CAR.

Allegations of Asset Sales

Recent reports have stated the government evicted its own soldiers from a internationally financed training centre to accommodate a foreign-run livestock operation. A critical commentary charged the leadership of being "determined to sell off the country bit by bit."

Despite a recent peace accord with rebel groups offering hope of calm, the election proceeds under a cloud of uncertainty and external rivalry.