Central African Republic (CAR) President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has secured a third term in office after winning an outright majority in last month’s presidential election, according to provisional results released by the country’s election agency.
Touadéra, 68, garnered 76% of the vote in the 28 December poll, results announced late Monday show. His victory was widely anticipated after the main opposition coalition boycotted the election, citing concerns over transparency and fairness.
Former prime ministers Anicet-Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra emerged as Touadéra’s closest challengers, receiving 15% and 3% of the vote respectively. Both candidates have rejected the outcome and called for the results to be annulled, alleging widespread irregularities and fraud.
“There was a methodical attempt to manipulate the outcome,” Dologuélé said on Friday.
The opposition coalition, known by its French acronym BRDC, declined to take part in the vote, arguing that the electoral process was unlikely to be free or fair. The government has dismissed the accusations, insisting the election was conducted in line with the law.
More than 2.4 million voters were registered for the general election, which observers described as largely peaceful despite logistical challenges, including delays in the delivery of voting materials and flaws in the electoral register.
Touadéra campaigned heavily on his security record in the conflict-prone country, which has struggled with instability since 2013, when rebel groups seized power and ousted then-president François Bozizé. In response to ongoing insecurity, his government enlisted support from Russian mercenaries and Rwandan troops to help stabilise the country.
His continued rule has drawn criticism both at home and abroad, particularly after a 2023 constitutional referendum removed presidential term limits, clearing the way for him to seek re-election indefinitely.
The Constitutional Court has until 20 January to rule on any legal challenges and officially declare the final results.
The Central African Republic remains one of Africa’s poorest and most unstable nations despite its vast natural wealth, including diamonds and uranium.
According to the United Nations, nearly half of the population depends on humanitarian assistance.
Although a 2019 peace agreement between the government and 14 armed groups helped reduce violence, the deal has since weakened, with six groups withdrawing from the accord.
Analysts say Touadéra’s re-election is likely to strengthen Russia’s influence in the country. CAR was among the first African states to host Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, which provided security to the government in exchange for access to valuable resources such as gold and diamonds.
As legal challenges loom, Touadéra’s victory sets the stage for another term marked by security concerns, political tension, and deepening geopolitical alliances.
