Campaigning has begun in the Central African Republic ahead of four simultaneous elections on December 28, with President Faustin‑Archange Touadera running for a third term after a constitutional change. Thousands attended a rally in Bangui as opponents accuse Touadera of seeking to cement his rule. Key rivals have faced nationality disputes — one had his passport revoked and lodged a complaint with the UN — and a major opposition bloc has announced a boycott. Around 2.3 million voters are expected, including roughly 749,000 first‑time registrants, amid ongoing security challenges despite foreign forces helping to stabilise parts of the country.
Campaigning Kicks Off Ahead Of Central African Republic Quadruple Elections — Touadera Seeks Third Term Amid Security Concerns
Supporters of President Faustin-Archange Touadera packed a stadium as campaigning opened in the CAR (Annela NIAMOLO)(Annela NIAMOLO/AFP/AFP)
Campaigning opened on Saturday in the Central African Republic as voters prepare for a bundle of four elections on December 28. Alongside contests for national, regional and municipal assemblies, Centrafricans will also elect a president. Incumbent Faustin-Archange Touadera leads a seven-candidate field after a constitutional change cleared the way for him to run for a third term.
Thousands of supporters filled a 20,000-seat stadium in the capital, Bangui, to hear Touadera address the crowd. His opponents accuse him of attempting to entrench his rule in one of the world’s poorest countries. Touadera, who was first elected in 2016 amid a brutal civil war, presented himself as a protector of young people and argued that more must be done to restore and secure the country.
"The fight for peace and security is not over," the president told the assembled crowd. "We must continue to strengthen our army in order to guarantee security throughout the national territory and preserve the unity of our country."
Two principal rivals, former prime minister Henri‑Marie Dondra and opposition leader Anicet‑Georges Dologuele, faced uncertainty over nationality rules introduced in the 2023 constitutional revision. Dologuele toured Bangui neighbourhoods in a campaign convoy, calling the vote "a choice for national survival; a choice between resignation and hope," and insisting citizens had endured "ten years of waiting, promises and suffering."
Legal Challenges And Boycott
Dologuele said in September he relinquished his French citizenship to meet the single‑nationality requirement, but courts later revoked his Central African passport in mid‑October. He has filed a complaint with the United Nations human rights office. In early October a leading opposition alliance, the Republican Bloc for the Defence of the Constitution of March 2016, announced it would boycott the election, accusing the government of manipulating the process.
Voter Roll, Delays And Security
The electoral authority expects roughly 2.3 million voters to cast ballots, including about 749,000 people registering for the first time. The end‑of‑year polls were postponed several times because of problems with the voter roll, funding shortfalls and persistent security concerns.
Since independence from France in 1960, the Central African Republic has experienced recurrent conflict, coups and civil wars. In recent years, a United Nations peacekeeping operation, Rwandan troops and Russian mercenaries associated with the Wagner group have helped stabilise parts of the country. Nevertheless, anti‑government fighters remain active on major highways and in eastern border areas near Sudan and South Sudan, complicating efforts to guarantee a secure, nationwide vote.
What To Watch: whether key opposition figures are permitted to remain on the ballot, turnout among first‑time registrants, and whether security conditions allow for voting across the country on December 28.
