Faustin-Archange Touadera, the incumbent President of the Central African Republic (CAR), has been declared the winner of the presidential election held on December 28, according to provisional results. He secured a third term following a 2023 constitutional amendment that removed presidential term limits. The announcement comes amidst allegations of fraud and irregularities from opposition figures, which the government has denied.
Provisional Election Results
Provisional results, announced on Monday, indicate that President Touadera garnered 76.15 percent of the votes. His closest contenders were former Prime Ministers Anicet-Georges Dologuele, who received 14.66 percent, and Henri-Marie Dondra, with 3.19 percent. Voter turnout was recorded at 52.42 percent.
Presidential Background and Tenure
Mr. Touadera, 68, a mathematician, first assumed office a decade prior. His pursuit of a third term followed a constitutional referendum in 2023 that removed presidential term limits. His campaign centered on enhancing national security, referencing support from Russian military personnel and Rwandan forces, and noting the signing of peace agreements with various armed groups during the current year.
Allegations of Irregularities and Official Responses
The primary opposition coalition, known as BRDC, boycotted the election, citing concerns regarding its fairness. Prior to the announcement of results, Mr. Dologuele and Mr. Dondra publicly questioned the election's credibility. Mr. Dologuele, who was the runner-up in the 2020 election, stated at a news conference on Friday that there had been a "methodical attempt to manipulate" the outcome. The government led by President Touadera has denied these allegations of fraud.
Election Process and National Context
The election, involving over 2.4 million registered voters, was generally characterized by observers as peaceful, despite some reported delays in the arrival of voting materials and issues with the electoral register.
The Central African Republic is a landlocked nation rich in resources such as diamonds and uranium. Approximately half of its population is dependent on humanitarian aid, according to United Nations estimates. The country has experienced ongoing conflict since 2013, when rebels seized power, ousting then-President François Bozizé. A 2019 peace agreement signed between the government and 14 armed groups aimed to de-escalate tensions, though six of these groups later withdrew. President Touadera's administration has leveraged support from Russian military personnel, including elements identified as the Wagner Group, and Rwandan soldiers to address security concerns. Analysts have suggested that Russia's historical security assistance to the CAR is linked to reported interests in natural resources like gold and diamonds in the region.
Next Steps
The Constitutional Court is scheduled to adjudicate any electoral challenges and is expected to declare the definitive results by January 20.