In brief
Faustin-Archange Touadéra has been declared the winner of the Central African Republic's presidential election, securing 76% of the vote. This election, however, was marred by allegations of electoral fraud and claims of irregularities from the opposition, which boycotted the polls citing concerns over fairness. Critics have raised alarms about the constitutional changes that allowed Touadéra to run again, against a backdrop of ongoing instability in a nation rich in resources but plagued by conflict and humanitarian crises.
Central African Republic (CAR) President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has won a third term after securing an outright majority in last month's presidential election, provisional results show.
The 68-year-old mathematics professor was widely expected to win after the main opposition coalition boycotted the poll, citing concerns about electoral fairness.
Touadéra campaigned on his security record in the chronically unstable nation after rebels seized power in 2013, a crisis that led the government to enlist support from Russian mercenaries and Rwandan soldiers.
He has faced heavy criticism after a 2023 constitution removed term limits, allowing him to keep running for office.
More than 2.4 million people registered for the 28 December general election, which observers described as largely peaceful despite delays caused by the late arrival of voting material and problems with the electoral register.
Touadéra secured 76% of the vote, according to preliminary results announced late on Monday by the election agency.
His closest challengers, Anicet-Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra, both former prime ministers, received 15% and 3% of the vote respectively, and have called for the results to be annulled, alleging widespread irregularities and fraud.
The main opposition coalition, known by its French acronym BRDC, boycotted the election, saying it was unlikely to be fair. The government has denied the claims.
Analysts note that Touadéra's victory could further entrench Russian influence in the CAR, which has seen the deployment of Russian mercenary groups such as Wagner, providing security in exchange for control over valuable resources like diamonds and gold.
Despite ongoing conflicts, including a failed 2019 peace deal with armed groups, Yuadéra's continued presidency raises questions about the political stability and future of the CAR, a nation rich in resources but enduring significant poverty and humanitarian challenges.
