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On Sunday, the Central African Republic will conduct a crucial series of four votes, encompassing the presidential race, parliament, and local seats.

A Crowded Presidential Field

Seven candidates are competing for the presidency, including ex-premiers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men were cleared to run by the constitutional court after being initially barred. Dologuélé finished second in the last two elections, while Dondra briefly served under the current president.

Challengers' Strategy and Voter Frustrations

The opposition hopes to tap into widespread frustration in a country where conflict remains a daily reality. Over half a million people are displaced within their own country, with a comparable figure living as exiles in neighbouring countries.

"This represents an chance to commend the remarkable recovery of the country," noted a UN regional official, adding that obstacles remain.

The Incumbent's Path

Despite the challenges, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is widely expected to secure another term. He transitioned into politics in 2008 when named prime minister, serving until a rebel coalition overthrew the government in 2013, triggering a civil war.

After a chaotic transition period, his reputation for impartiality from the main militias powered his runoff win in 2016.

Election Risks and Logistical Hurdles

There are fears that supply-chain issues and violence could mar the vote, particularly in the countryside. The UN stabilization force, Minusca, is offering protection and organizational aid that the state's crumbling infrastructure is unable to provide.

Further issues involve the voter list being published only online, a major hurdle in a country with scarce online access. These issues have led to an opposition boycott and could, according to observers, "exclude many of the electorate."

Stakes of a Third Term

Many residents worry that another term for Touadéra—enabled by a 2023 charter change that scrapped term limits and extended mandates—would mean greater influence for foreign actors.

The president has relied on the Russian mercenary group Wagner for his protection, and even after its founder's death, has resisted calls to integrate its fighters into a new structure. Meanwhile, Rwanda has pursued a different approach, focusing on business interests 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 agricultural project. A critical commentary accused 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 geopolitical rivalry.