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On Sunday, the Central African Republic will conduct a significant quadruple election, including the presidential race, parliament, and municipal seats.

A Crowded Race for the Presidency

Seven candidates are vying for the top office, among them former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Both men were given approval to run 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 Voter Frustrations

The challengers hopes to capitalize on widespread discontent in a nation where violence remains a daily reality. More than half a million people are displaced within their own country, with a comparable figure living as refugees in neighbouring countries.

"This is an opportunity to acknowledge the significant progress of the nation," said a senior UN diplomat, adding that challenges remain.

The Incumbent's Path

Despite the competition, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is widely expected to extend his run. He first entered politics in 2008 when appointed prime minister, holding the post until a insurgent alliance toppled the government in 2013, sparking a sectarian conflict.

After a turbulent transition period, his perceived impartiality from the warring factions fueled his second-round victory in 2016.

Election Risks and Voting Challenges

There are fears that logistical problems and violence could disrupt the vote, particularly in the countryside. The UN peacekeeping mission, Minusca, is providing protection and logistical support that the state's crumbling infrastructure is unable to provide.

Further issues include the electoral roll being made available only digitally, a major hurdle in a country with scarce online access. These irregularities have prompted an opposition boycott and could, according to observers, "disenfranchise large segments of the population."

Stakes of a Third Term

Many citizens fear that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 constitutional referendum that abolished term limits and lengthened mandates—would entail greater influence for foreign actors.

The president has relied on the Russian mercenary group Wagner for personal security, and even after its founder's death, has pushed back against calls to fold its fighters into a successor entity. Meanwhile, Rwanda has taken a different approach, focusing on commercial ventures within CAR.

Claims of National Disposal

Allegations have claimed the government removed its own soldiers from a World Bank-funded training centre to accommodate a Rwandan livestock operation. A critical editorial accused the leadership of being "determined to dispose of the country piece by piece."

Despite a recent peace accord with rebel groups offering a glimmer of calm, the vote moves forward under a cloud of doubt and external rivalry.