Central African Republic Votes as President Touadéra Eyes Third Term. Bangui, Central African Republic — The Central African Republic (CAR) is set to hold general elections this Sunday, with President Faustin-Archange Touadéra seeking a third consecutive term.
The 68-year-old incumbent, who has been in power since 2016, is facing six challengers but is widely regarded as the favorite due to his strong grip on state institutions.
According to local reports, a victory for Touadéra would reinforce Russia’s growing influence in the country. Moscow has inked multiple cooperation agreements with Bangui, providing security support in exchange for access to natural resources such as gold and diamonds.
The president’s campaign has focused on improving security, highlighting peace deals signed this year with several armed groups.
He has also cited the deployment of Russian Wagner mercenaries and Rwandan troops alongside UN peacekeepers, which has helped weaken some opposition forces.
However, the opposition accuses Touadéra of violating the constitution by seeking a third term after a 2023 referendum removed presidential term limits. Critics argue that he has failed to improve the country’s economic situation, with 5.
5 million people still living in poverty, despite his claims of progress.
Presidential, legislative, municipal, and regional elections are scheduled to take place simultaneously, with preliminary results expected on January 5. Despite claims of stability, Observers stress that a credible vote is crucial to preventing renewed violence.
The situation in CAR remains fluid, and further details are expected as the election process unfolds.
