What You Need to Know
The Constitutional Council of the Central African Republic has announced seven candidates for the presidential elections scheduled for December 28. Among them is the incumbent president, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who seeks a controversial third term following a constitutional amendment.
Africa. The Constitutional Council in the Central African Republic announced on Friday, November 14, the list of approved candidates for the presidential elections scheduled for December 28.
The list includes seven names, notably the outgoing president Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who is seeking a third term following a controversial constitutional amendment approved in 2023.
Touadéra, who was first elected in 2016 and renewed his term in 2020, faces widespread criticism from his opponents, who accuse him of attempting to remain in power through a constitutional change that allows him to run for a third term.
This amendment has sparked sharp political divisions, as the opposition argues that it consolidates executive power and undermines democratic turnover.
Opposition Present Despite Obstacles
Among the accepted candidates is former Prime Minister Henri-Marie Dondra, along with Anicet-Georges Dologuélé, a prominent opposition figure.
Both men have filed appeals against the dual citizenship requirement, as Dologuélé renounced his French citizenship last August, only to have the courts strip him of his original nationality in October, prompting him to file a complaint with the United Nations Human Rights Committee.
The list also includes four other names: Serge Ghislaine Djouri, Aristide Brian Riboa, Eddy Simforian Kabarakoti, and Marcelin Yalimendi. In contrast, the council rejected three applications for failing to meet legal requirements.
Multi-Level Elections
The upcoming vote is not limited to the presidency; it also includes legislative, regional, and municipal elections, making it a pivotal political moment in a country suffering from chronic security and economic crises.
With the announcement of a major opposition coalition’s boycott of the elections, claiming they are “closed and directed,” tensions are rising regarding the integrity of the electoral process, which is expected to involve around 2.3 million voters.
Between the current president’s ambition to extend his rule and the opposition’s attempts to assert their presence despite obstacles, the December elections in the Central African Republic appear to be a real test for the future of the democratic process in a country grappling with intertwined crises.
The Central African Republic has faced ongoing political instability since gaining independence in 1960. The country has experienced multiple coups and civil conflicts, leading to a fragile political environment. In recent years, the government has struggled to maintain control amid rising violence and economic challenges, making upcoming elections crucial for the nation’s democratic future.
In 2023, a controversial constitutional amendment allowed President Faustin-Archange Touadéra to seek a third term, intensifying political tensions. Opposition parties have raised concerns about the fairness of the electoral process, citing potential manipulation and the exclusion of certain candidates.
