Central African Republic President Faustin Archange Touadera announced on Saturday he will seek a third term in December’s elections.
Speaking to party members in the capital, Bangui, Touadera, 68, affirmed his candidacy, responding positively to the United Hearts Movement’s request. First elected in 2016 after French intervention ended a brutal civil war, Touadera was re-elected in 2020 amid unrest and fraud allegations.
Supporters hail him as a peacebuilder who restored security in much of the country, while opponents accuse him of aiming for lifelong rule. A 2023 constitutional referendum authorized his third-term bid, stirring controversy over his intentions and the future of democracy in the nation.
The Republican Bloc for the Defence of the Constitution (BRDC) insists it will only join elections if Touadera initiates political dialogue with opposition forces. Despite the president’s initial agreement, no date has been set for these crucial talks, leaving opposition demands unmet and tensions high. Before thousands of supporters clad in blue and white, Touadera condemned the opposition as “radical,” “incompetent,” and “corrupt,” intensifying political divisions.
The December polls will combine presidential, legislative, and delayed municipal elections amid challenges like funding shortages and unreliable voter lists. Since independence in 1960, the Central African Republic has endured persistent conflict, though a 2019 peace deal with 14 rebel groups reduced violence somewhat.
Nonetheless, several armed factions still control parts of the country, especially in the volatile eastern region bordering Sudan and South Sudan. While violence has lessened, instability remains a looming threat, casting a shadow over the upcoming electoral process and national reconciliation efforts.
