Central African Republic President Secures Third Term

Central African Republic (CAR) President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has clinched a third term in office after winning an outright majority in last month’s presidential election, according to provisional results released by the country’s election authority.

The 68-year-old former mathematics professor secured about 76% of the vote, a result that had been widely anticipated following a boycott of the poll by the main opposition coalition, which raised concerns over the credibility of the process.

According to the BBC, Touadéra based his campaign largely on his security record in the chronically unstable nation, which has been plagued by conflict since rebels seized power in 2013.

That crisis forced his government to seek military backing from Russian mercenaries and Rwandan troops in an effort to stabilise the country.

His re-election comes amid a controversial constitutional change in 2023 which removed presidential term limits, paving the way for him to seek a third mandate.

More than 2.4 million voters were registered for the December 28 general election.

The BBC reports that observers described the exercise as largely peaceful, although logistical setbacks, including the late delivery of voting materials and persistent problems with the electoral register, marred it.

According to preliminary figures announced late Monday, Touadéra’s closest rivals, former prime ministers Anicet-Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra, garnered 15% and 3% of the vote, respectively.

Both candidates have rejected the outcome and called for the results to be annulled, alleging irregularities and fraud.

Dologuélé said on Friday that there had been “a methodical attempt to manipulate” the election results. The main opposition coalition, known by its French acronym BRDC, had earlier boycotted the vote, insisting the process could not be free or fair. The government has dismissed the allegations.

The Constitutional Court is expected to rule on any formal challenges and announce the final results by January 20.

Despite being rich in natural resources such as diamonds and uranium, the Central African Republic remains one of Africa’s poorest and most fragile states. The United Nations estimates that nearly half of the population depends on humanitarian assistance.

The country has struggled with persistent insecurity since the overthrow of former President François Bozizé in 2013.

Although a 2019 peace agreement between the government and 14 armed groups eased tensions, several factions later withdrew from the deal, keeping the threat of violence alive.

Touadéra’s decisive victory could further strengthen Russia’s influence in the country. Russia has provided security support in exchange for access to strategic resources, including gold and diamonds.

CAR was among the first African states where Russia’s Wagner mercenary group established a strong presence, offering protection to Touadéra and his administration.

Central African Republic President Secures Third Term is first published on The Whistler Newspaper