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On Sunday, the Central African Republic will conduct a crucial quadruple election, encompassing the presidency, national assembly, and local positions.

A Competitive Race for the Presidency

Seven candidates are vying for the top office, including former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men were cleared to stand by the constitutional court after initial bans. Dologuélé finished second in the last two elections, while Dondra had a short tenure under the current president.

Opposition Hopes and Public Discontent

The opposition hopes to capitalize on widespread discontent in a country where violence remains a daily reality. More than half a million people are internally displaced, with a similar number living as exiles in bordering states.

"This represents an chance to acknowledge the significant progress of the nation," noted a UN regional official, adding that challenges persist.

Touadéra's Expected Victory

Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is widely expected to extend his run. He transitioned into politics in 2008 when appointed prime minister, serving until a insurgent alliance toppled the government in 2013, triggering a civil war.

After a chaotic transition period, his perceived neutrality 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 disrupt the electoral process, particularly in the countryside. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is offering protection and logistical support that the country's weak systems cannot manage.

Further issues involve the voter list being made available only digitally, a significant barrier in a nation with limited internet access. These issues have prompted an electoral boycott and could, according to observers, "exclude many of the electorate."

Stakes of a Third Term

Many citizens worry that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 charter change that scrapped term limits and extended mandates—would entail expanded sway for outside interests.

The president has relied on the Russian mercenary group Wagner for personal security, and even after its founder's death, has resisted calls to fold its fighters into a new structure. Meanwhile, Rwanda has pursued a different approach, focusing on business interests within CAR.

Claims of National Disposal

Allegations have stated the government removed its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded facility to make way for a Rwandan agricultural project. A critical editorial accused the leadership of being "determined to sell off the nation piece by piece."

Amid a newly signed agreement with armed factions offering hope of stabilization, the election proceeds under a cloud of uncertainty and external competition.