Central African Republic
CAR. Presidential and Legislative Elections, December 27
By Dr Joseph Siegle & Candace Cook
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The Central African Republic (CAR) is one of Africa’s most fragile states, having faced persistent factional and intercommunal conflict since 2013. Thousands of people have been killed in the violence, and 1.2 million have been forcibly displaced. During this period, the economy has contracted by a third, making CAR one of the poorest countries in Africa, with a per capita income of under $300.
In Summary
It is in this context that President Faustin-Archange Touadéra is seeking a second term in office. Touadéra’s election in 2016 was widely deemed credible. Moreover, political space for opposition groups and media has expanded under Touadéra.
Former President François Bozizé returned to CAR on December 16, 2019, and announced his candidacy on July 25, 2020 under his party, Kwa Na Kwa. He was however barred from standing by the Constitutional Court. The former president still has numerous supporters in the capital, Bangui, though he would likely be deeply opposed in rebel-held areas.
CAR map of prefectures
Inclusive government
Working with a weak slate of security and justice institutions, Touadéra relies heavily on MINUSCA, the UN peacekeeping and stabilization mission, for security. In his effort to build an inclusive government that can bring peace, Touadéra negotiated a peace agreement in February 2019 that granted rebel leaders 13 ministerial positions and introduced Mixed Special Security Units (USMS) pairing government and rebel security forces.
The move has precipitated anger and protests from some citizens and opposition groups who feel Touadéra is rewarding rebels for their destabilizing behavior. Although clashes between the armed forces and ex-Seleka coalition persist and arms continue to flow into the country from Sudan and Chad, violence has declined and humanitarian access has increased since the deal was signed. Nonetheless, the discipline and professionalism of the USMS remains highly tenuous and prone to politicization.
CAR per capita income
$300
Since 2013, the economy has contracted by a third, making Central Africa Republic one of the poorest countries in Africa.
The candidates
CAR is also at the center of geostrategic tensions. Russia has dramatically increased its engagement in CAR since 2018 with the deployment of 235 Russian security instructors primarily from the private military contractor, the Wagner Group. Wagner is also active in diamond and gold extraction efforts in rebel-held areas of the north. A Russian national, Valery Zakharov, now serves as Touadéra’s national security advisor, raising concerns over CAR’s compromised sovereignty.
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Presidential Candidates, 27 December 2020
Faustin Archange TOUADERA
Anicet Georges Dologuélé
Martin Ziguélé
Sylvain Patassé
Mahamat Kamoun
Augustin AGOU
Crépin Mboli Goumba
Eloi Anguimaté
Alexandre Ferdinand Nguendet
Abdoul Karim Meckassoua
Catherine Samba-Panza
Cyriaque GONDA
Kolingba Désiré
REBOAS Aristide
Serge Bokassa
Source: CENI, CAR
The Russian presence has been accompanied by an aggressive media campaign to tout the Russian contribution to security and disparage the UN and France, accusing the latter of attempting to recolonize CAR. CAR was also one of the eight African countries targeted by the Russian disinformation campaign exposed by Facebook where Russian-sponsored websites disguised as home-grown CAR entities would attempt to rally support for Russia.
Dr Joseph Siegle is the Director or Research at Africa Center’s research program www.africacenter.org His areas of expertise include democratization, Security and Development.
Candace Cook is a Research Assistant at Africa Center. She focuses on elections in Africa, good governance and democratic transitions.
This article originally appeared on www.africacenter.org. It has been updated to reflect current events in CAR and to include the approved list of candidates for the 27 December elections.