Bangui, Central African Republic – December 30, 2025 (Clarion Newschannel)
– Voters in the Central African Republic (CAR) headed to the polls on Sunday, December 28, in landmark general elections combining presidential, legislative, regional, and municipal contests—the first local elections in decades—with incumbent President Faustin-Archange Touadéra heavily favored to secure a third term amid fragile stability bolstered by Russian mercenaries and Rwandan troops.
Touadéra, 68, a former mathematics professor in power since 2016, campaigned on improved security following peace deals with rebel groups and support from foreign allies. Analysts widely predict a first-round victory for the leader of the United Hearts Movement, who became eligible for re-election after a controversial 2023 constitutional referendum abolished term limits and extended presidential mandates to seven years.
The referendum, approved amid opposition boycotts and criticism of restricted political space, faced accusations of irregularities, including security provided by Russia’s Wagner Group (now transitioning toward state-linked entities). Touadéra faced six opposition candidates, including prominent former prime ministers Anicet-Georges Dologuélé (runner-up in 2016 and 2020) and Henri-Marie Dondra. Attempts to disqualify the pair over alleged foreign citizenship failed in court.
However, the main opposition coalition, the Republican Bloc for the Defense of the Constitution (BRDC), boycotted the vote, denouncing an “unequal political environment” and lack of transparency. Critics highlighted restrictions on opposition rallies, media constraints, and voter roll issues reported at some polling stations.
Approximately 2.3-2.4 million registered voters participated, with polling described as largely peaceful despite ongoing insecurity in parts of the country. Touadéra voted in Bangui under heavy guard, including Russian contractors. Supporters credit him with stabilizing a nation plagued by civil war since 2013, pointing to recaptured territories and reduced rebel threats with help from Russian paramilitaries (deployed since 2018) and Rwandan forces (bolstered since 2020).
Russia’s influence has grown significantly, trading security assistance for access to CAR’s rich resources like gold, diamonds, lithium, and uranium. Touadéra, one of Moscow’s closest African allies, has resisted full integration of mercenaries into Russia’s Africa Corps while maintaining ties.
Challenges persist: over half a million remain internally displaced, extreme poverty affects much of the population, and rebel disarmament under recent accords remains incomplete. Eastern incursions linked to Sudan add to fragility.
Provisional presidential results are expected by January 5, 2026. If no candidate secures over 50%, a runoff is scheduled for February. Legislative runoffs, if needed, follow in April.
Clarion Newschannel will track emerging results and post-election developments in this resource-rich but unstable nation.
Touadéra’s Bid for Third Term: Russian-Backed Incumbent Favored in CAR Elections Amid Opposition Boycott and Security Gains
