Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has won a third term in office with a commanding margin, provisional results showed, extending his rule in a vote marred by an opposition boycott and allegations of irregularities.
Touadéra secured about 76 percent of the vote in the December 28 presidential election, according to preliminary figures announced late Monday by the country’s electoral authority. His closest challengers former prime ministers Anicet-Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra trailed far behind with roughly 15 percent and 3 percent respectively.
The outcome had been widely anticipated after the main opposition coalition boycotted the poll, arguing that the electoral process lacked transparency and fairness. The government has repeatedly rejected those claims.
Touadéra, a 68-year-old former mathematics professor, campaigned heavily on his security record in the chronically unstable, landlocked nation, which has been gripped by cycles of violence for more than a decade.
He came to power in 2016 following years of turmoil triggered when mostly Muslim rebels seized control of the capital in 2013, ousting then-president François Bozizé and plunging the country into widespread conflict.
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Facing persistent insecurity and weak state institutions, Touadéra’s government turned to foreign allies to shore up its grip on power. Russian security contractors and Rwandan troops have played a central role in helping the army push back rebel groups and regain control of key areas.
The president has drawn sharp criticism at home and abroad since a 2023 constitutional change removed presidential term limits, clearing the way for him to seek re-election indefinitely. Opponents say the reform entrenched his hold on power, while authorities argue it reflects the will of the people.
More than 2.4 million voters were registered for last month’s general election. International and local observers said the vote was largely peaceful, though they noted logistical problems, including delays in the delivery of voting materials and flaws in the electoral register.
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Despite the calm, opposition figures swiftly rejected the provisional results. Dologuélé and Dondra have both called for the election to be annulled, alleging widespread fraud and manipulation.
“There was a methodical attempt to manipulate the outcome,” Dologuélé said on Friday, without providing detailed evidence.
The main opposition bloc, known by its French acronym BRDC, said its decision to boycott the vote was based on concerns that the electoral process was stacked in favour of the incumbent.
Authorities have dismissed the accusations, insisting the vote was conducted in line with the law. The Constitutional Court has until January 20 to examine any legal challenges and proclaim the final results.
Touadéra’s decisive win is expected to reinforce the influence of Russia in the resource-rich but impoverished country. Analysts say Moscow has steadily expanded its footprint in the CAR by providing security support in exchange for access to lucrative mining concessions, particularly gold and diamonds.
The Central African Republic was among the first African nations where the Wagner group a Russian mercenary outfit now restructured under Moscow’s control became active, offering close protection to Touadéra and training to local forces.
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Despite its mineral wealth, the CAR remains one of the poorest countries in the world. The United Nations estimates that around half of its population relies on humanitarian assistance to meet basic needs, with violence, displacement and food insecurity persisting in many regions.
A 2019 peace agreement between the government and 14 armed groups helped reduce fighting, but the deal has remained fragile. Six of the signatory groups later withdrew, and sporadic clashes continue to undermine stability.
As Touadéra embarks on a new term, he faces the challenge of translating security gains into lasting political reconciliation and economic recovery, while navigating growing criticism over governance and democratic backsliding in one of Africa’s most fragile states.
