Central African Republics Touadera secures third presidential term

Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadera secured an outright majority in the presidential election held on December 28, according to provisional results announced on Monday. The results show Touadera received 76.15 percent of the vote, while former Prime Minister Anicet-Georges Dologuele garnered 14.66 percent and former Prime Minister Henri-Marie Dondra secured 3.19 percent.

Voter turnout was reported at 52.42 percent in the election. Touadera, a 68-year-old mathematician who took office ten years ago, is seeking a third term following a constitutional referendum in 2023 that eliminated the presidential term limit.

Touadera’s campaign focused on his security record and enlisted support from Russian mercenaries and Rwandan soldiers. He also signed peace deals with several rebel groups this year. The main opposition coalition, BRDC, boycotted the election, citing concerns over fairness.

Before the results were announced, Dologuele and Dondra held separate news conferences to express their doubts about the election’s credibility. Dologuele stated that there was a “methodical attempt to manipulate” the outcome, while Dondra claimed that the Central African people expressed a desire for change.

Touadera’s government has denied any allegations of fraud. The Constitutional Court will review challenges and declare definitive results by January 20.

Source: Al Jazeera