Central African Republic’s Touadéra Tipped to Secure Third Term Amid Opposition Boycott

President Faustin-Archange Touadéra of the Central African Republic (CAR) is widely expected to win a third term in office following Sunday’s presidential election, which took place amid a partial boycott by opposition parties and heavy security across the country.

Touadéra, 68, entered the race as the clear frontrunner in a seven-candidate contest, buoyed by a new constitution adopted in 2023 that removed term limits and cleared the way for him to seek another mandate. The presidential poll was conducted alongside parliamentary, municipal and regional elections.

According to the national electoral body, about 2.3 million voters were eligible to participate. Voting officially ended at 1700 GMT, with provisional presidential results expected to be announced on January 5.

While election officials described the process as largely peaceful, sections of the opposition refused to take part, arguing that the vote lacked credibility and was organised without sufficient political dialogue.

They accused the authorities of sidelining rivals and creating an uneven playing field.

At a polling station in Bangui’s city hall, election official Nazaire Patchbale said voters were able to cast their ballots calmly and without incident. However, concerns were raised by some citizens.

At another polling unit, a 37-year-old voter identified only as Beranger told AFP he chose not to vote after witnessing alleged irregularities, including people not on the electoral roll being allowed to vote, while some registered voters without electoral cards were turned away.

President Touadéra cast his ballot in the capital, Bangui, under tight security. He was escorted by members of the presidential guard as well as contractors from Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group, which has become one of the government’s key security partners in recent years.

The atmosphere in Bangui remained subdued throughout the day, with quiet streets and a strong security presence. Armoured vehicles belonging to the United Nations peacekeeping mission, MINUSCA, were stationed at major road junctions, while heavily armed security personnel guarded polling stations.

Touadéra was first elected in 2016 at the height of a brutal civil war that plunged the country into chaos. Since then, the security situation has improved in parts of the country, though armed groups continue to clash with government forces in several regions, underscoring ongoing instability.

His main challenger, former prime minister Anicet-Georges Dologuélé, who finished second in the last two presidential elections, voted earlier in Bangui.

Speaking after casting his ballot, Dologuélé struck a confident tone, saying he would respect the outcome of the election because he believed he would emerge victorious.

To monitor the process, the electoral authority said more than 1,700 national and international observers were accredited for the polls.

As the country awaits the official results, analysts say Touadéra’s path to a third term appears largely assured, though questions over opposition participation, transparency and long-term political stability are expected to dominate post-election discussions both within the Central African Republic and among international partners.