Central African Republic's president eyes third term

7 months ago 12

President Faustin-Archange Touadéra's promise to rebuild the country and his nomination for the Presidency by his United Hearts Movement (MCU) comes as distrust in the government of the Central African Republic (CAR) grows. A controversial referendum held in 2023 saw a large majority voted for constitutional changes. Now, the opposition and civil society organizations fear 68-year-old Touadéra could stay in power for life.

CAR opposition groups reject referendum

Opposition alleges referendum fraud

The electoral commission said 95% of those that took part in the referendum voted for changes that enabled the president to run for a third term. The new law abolished the two-term limit and extended the presidential mandate from five to seven years.

But opposition and civil society organizations boycotted the referendum, accusing the government of fraud. Opposition politicians do not recognize Touadéra's legitimacy, while civil society fears the integrity of the 2025 election is already compromised.

The Arc-En-Ciel (Rainbow) network, which is observing the elections in the CAR, has raised concerns about the absence of data from 754 registration centers out of the 3,919 legally established by the National Electoral Authority (ANE). Numerous irregularities have been flagged in the ANE's provisional electoral lists, and it is feared no financing will come from the international community if the elections already lack credibility.

Yao Agbetsé, a United Nations researcher and human rights lawyer, expressed as much in his latest report.

"Despite multiform support provided by national authorities and technical and financial partners to the ANE, persistent internal dysfunction has hampered its effectiveness, compromising the running of the electoral timetable," he said, adding that electoral registers are "unlikely" to finalized in time.

Russian mercenaries secure President Faustin-Archange Touadéra' while greeting people on the street

Demand for national dialogue

Over the weekend, the ruling party's congress took place. Simultaneously, the opposition, united under the Republican Bloc for the Defense of the Constitution (BRDC), held a rally to demand President Touadéra engage with them about the elections.

Spokesperson Martin Ziguélé told DW: "We have rallied our activists around the BRDC's constant demand for a national political dialogue before discussing the electoral process again."

He added: "We cannot accept a political party that sees itself as the only party. We are not a one-party state; we are a democracy. And we intend to fight to the last breath to ensure that the achievements of democracy and the Republic are respected."

Since taking office in 2016, Touadéra has enlisted outside forces to stay in power amid persistent civil conflict. This includes mercenaries from the Russia's Wagner group,which helped him secure power in 2018. He won re-election in 2020, but faced strong opposition from rebel groups who sought to overturn his victory.

Landlocked Central African Republic is roughly the size of France and with a population of around 5.5 million. But despite possessing resources in gold, diamonds and timber, the nation remains impoverished. It has also endured waves of instability, including coups and rebellions, since independence from France in 1960.

A blue election campaign billboard 2020/21 showing Faustin Archange Touadera

Iron grip of power

For Evariste Ngamana, vice president of the National Assembly and spokesperson for the MCU, President Touadéra's record speaks in favor of his candidacy, telling reporters: "He has made efforts to restore security, peace, and economic recovery. We believe that it is truly appropriate to give him this opportunity to represent us in the presidential elections."

While the opposition criticizes the president's grip of power, Touadéra's party is convinced it has the resources to win the December elections in the first round. If his candidacy is validated and he is elected, Touadéra would lead his country for seven renewable years.

While Prime Minister Félix Moloua has announced that local and general elections will be held simultaneously, the MCU party did not nominate any candidates for the local elections at its congress, raising questions about the effectiveness of the elections as a whole.