Central African Republic leader Faustin-Archange Touadéra has swept to a third presidential term. He dominated the December 28 ballot with 76% of votes according to provisional tallies from the national election body, released on Monday evening.
More than 2.4 million people registered for the vote. Monitors described it as generally orderly despite delays from late polling kits and voter roll issues.
The 68-year-old former university mathematics tutor met little opposition. The BRDC coalition—its French initials for a broad anti-government alliance—withdrew beforehand, calling the process fundamentally flawed.
Touadéra built his bid around security improvements since a 2013 rebel coup ousted François Bozizé and unleashed years of turmoil. That upheaval brought foreign aid in the form of Russian contractors, who evolved from Wagner Group to Africa Corps after 2023 changes, plus Rwandan troops. They helped reclaim territory from insurgents.
A 2023 constitutional change ended term limits, prompting outcry from activists and opponents who saw it as entrenching power in a fragile democracy.
Ex-prime ministers Anicet-Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra finished distant second and third with 15% and 3%. Both rejected the results and alleged widespread fraud.
On Friday, Dologuélé said there had been “a methodical attempt to manipulate” the outcome.
Bangui officials brushed off the claims and upheld the poll’s legitimacy. The Constitutional Court must review challenges and confirm results by January 20.
The CAR is one of Africa’s poorest and most unstable countries. It holds vast gold, diamond, and uranium reserves but suffers endless strife that affects millions. UN figures show over half of its 5.5 million residents need aid, with 2.5 million in acute hunger as of late 2025.
The 2019 Juba accord tied the government to 14 militias and curbed some fighting. Six groups later quit, sparking renewed clashes in mineral zones.
Touadéra’s victory likely bolsters Russia’s influence. The country was Wagner’s African launchpad in 2018. In return for security, Moscow gains mining deals and basing amid global tensions.
Analysts monitor if the court’s ruling stabilises CAR or ignites fresh unrest amid rebel threats and climate pressures.