The Central African Republic is set to hold presidential, legislative, regional and municipal elections on 28 December, marking a significant milestone in the country’s peace process. The United Nations has called on all parties to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process, emphasizing the need to safeguard the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms.
In a statement issued by the Secretary‑General’s spokesperson, António Guterres urged all Central Africans to vote peacefully and encouraged authorities to conduct the elections in a “peaceful, orderly, inclusive and credible manner.” He appealed to political actors and stakeholders to refrain from any actions that could incite violence or undermine confidence in the process.
The upcoming elections will be unprecedented in scope, combining four ballots across the country. Municipal elections, which have not been held since 1988, are a key provision of the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation. The Secretary‑General described the conduct of these elections as “an historic milestone in the peace process” and a critical step toward consolidating decentralisation and extending state authority beyond the capital, Bangui.
The Central African Republic has long struggled with armed violence, weak institutions and a limited state presence outside Bangui. Although the 2019 agreement aims to address these issues, insecurity persists in parts of the country, while conflict, fragile services and extreme weather continue to fuel a humanitarian crisis. The nation’s vast, sparsely populated terrain—crisscrossed by dense forests, rivers and often impassable roads—poses significant logistical challenges for the electoral process.
To support the elections, the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSCA has mobilised extensive logistical and security assistance, deploying electoral materials to remote and hard‑to‑reach areas. The mission has transported ballot papers, indelible ink, voter lists and other sensitive items to nearly 4 000 voting centres, encompassing about 6 700 polling stations nationwide. MINUSCA has also backed civic‑education and voter‑awareness campaigns, focusing on preventing electoral violence and promoting a code of conduct for political actors.
With over 2.39 million registered voters, including more than 1.14 million women, expected to cast their ballots, the international community is watching the elections closely. The successful conduct of these polls will be critical to consolidating peace and stability in the Central African Republic, and UN support will play a crucial role in ensuring a peaceful and credible electoral process.
Comments are closed for this story.