The Central African Republic will head to the polls on Sunday to hold its first-ever quadruple election, covering the presidency, parliament, and local government structures.
President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who has been in office since 2016, is seeking a third consecutive term following constitutional changes that removed presidential term limits.
The 68-year-old faces six challengers but enters the race as the frontrunner, backed by firm control over state institutions and security structures.
A Touadéra victory, reoorts say would further cement Russia’s influence in the country. Moscow has deepened its presence in Bangui through security cooperation agreements, providing military support in exchange for access to natural resources including gold and diamonds.
Security has been a central theme of the president’s campaign, with Touadéra pointing to peace agreements signed this year with several armed groups. Other rebel factions have been weakened by the presence of Russian Wagner mercenaries and Rwandan troops, deployed alongside UN peacekeepers at the government’s request.
The opposition, however, accuses the president of entrenching himself in power after the 2023 constitutional referendum.
Critics argue that despite years in office, Touadéra has failed to improve living conditions for much of the population, pointing to widespread poverty, deteriorating infrastructure and a fragile economy.
