Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra is seeking re-election this Sunday, after a decade in office. The presidential election will be held alongside national, regional, and municipal lawmaker elections. Touadéra, who has been in power since 2016, oversaw a referendum in July 2023 that removed the presidential term limit, allowing him to run for a third term. He is the favorite to win among the seven candidates.
Touadéra’s lead is attributed to his significant advantage in resources and the support of civil servants who are campaigning for him. The 68-year-old president, a mathematician and former prime minister, came to power during a civil war. The Central African Republic has experienced repeated cycles of unrest since gaining independence from France in 1960, resulting in most of its 5.5 million people living in poverty.
The country has strengthened its ties with Russia, with Touadéra’s government accused of exchanging security for access to gold and other resources. In 2018, the Central African Republic became the first country in West and Central Africa to hire Russia’s Wagner mercenaries. However, this has come at a cost, with a think tank reporting that Russia has made over $2.5 billion in African gold through its mercenary missions.
Touadéra has launched initiatives to attract investors, including two cryptocurrency ventures, but these have raised concerns about exposing state assets to foreign criminal networks. He has also vowed to boost revenue from mining under a new code adopted in 2024. Despite these efforts, illegal mining and criminality remain rampant, with China warning its citizens about the risks of kidnapping, extortion, and slavery in the sector.
The president has touted his infrastructure investments, including the adoption of bitcoin as legal tender in 2022 and the signing of a deal to launch Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite-based internet service. He claims to have improved security across the country, but analysts warn that the gains are fragile, with rebels not fully disarmed and incursions by combatants from neighboring Sudan fueling insecurity.
Security remains a top concern for voters, with many calling for roads and peace. The United Nations Security Council has extended the mandate of its peacekeeping mission, citing the need for continued support. As the Central African Republic prepares for the election, the international community is watching closely, with many hoping for a peaceful and stable outcome.
