Central African Republic Election 2025 Candidates & Key Issues

Central African Republic election 2025: Learn about presidential candidates, key issues, and what’s at stake for the nation’s future.

The Central African Republic (CAR) is set to hold highly contentious presidential and legislative elections on December 28, 2025, with President Faustin-Archange Touadera seeking a historic third term. The elections have sparked debates over democracy, governance, and the country’s future stability.

Who Can Vote and How the Elections Work

Around 2.3 million Central Africans over the age of 18 are registered to vote. This includes 749,000 new registrations since the last election in 2020. Citizens will vote for the president, national lawmakers, regional authorities, and, for the first time in 40 years, municipal leaders.

CAR has roughly 6,700 polling units, and past elections have seen an average voter turnout of 62% according to the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). Although municipal elections were initially scheduled for August, they were postponed to December due to funding and organizational issues, raising concerns about the electoral body’s preparedness.

The presidential election requires an absolute majority to declare a winner in the first round. If no candidate achieves this, a run-off will determine the victor. A 2023 constitutional referendum removed presidential term limits, increasing each term to seven years, allowing Touadera to run again.

Who is Running for President?

The Constitutional Court approved Touadera, Anicet-Georges Dologuele, Henri-Marie Dondra, and five other candidates. However, a major opposition coalition, the Republican Bloc for the Defence of the Constitution (BRDC), has boycotted the elections, claiming irregularities and alleging bias toward the ruling party.

Faustin-Archange Touadera

• Age: 68
• Background: Mathematician, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Bangui, and former Prime Minister (2013–2015).
• Party: United Hearts Movement (MCU)
• Achievements: Introduced Bitcoin as legal tender in 2022, signed peace deals with some armed groups, and improved infrastructure.
• Criticism: Alleged election manipulation, suppression of opposition, reliance on Russian mercenaries, and controversial constitutional changes to remove term limits.

Touadera remains the front-runner, campaigning on promises of peace, security, and infrastructure development, but concerns over democratic processes and foreign mercenary involvement persist.

Henri-Marie Dondra

• Age: 59
• Background: Former Prime Minister (2021–2022) and career banker.
• Party: Republican Unity Party (UNIR)
• Platform: Economic reforms, strengthening international relations, and restoring ties with France.
• Challenges: Faced allegations of dual citizenship and detainment of family members.

Anicet-Georges Dologuele

• Age: 68
• Background: Former Prime Minister (1990s), dual French-CAR citizen, later renounced French citizenship.
• Party: Union for Central African Renewal (URCA)
• Platform: Democratic reforms, stronger governance, and improved foreign alliances.
• Challenges: Citizenship disputes and negative rhetoric from pro-Touadera supporters.

Other Notable Candidates

• Aristide Briand Reboas – Promises better utilities like electricity and water.
• Serge Djorie – Focuses on public health reforms, poverty reduction, and pan-African policies.
• Eddy Symphorien Kparekouti – Emphasizes poverty reduction and constitutional governance reforms.

Key Issues Shaping the Election

Security and Armed Groups

CAR has been plagued by decade-long conflict, including clashes between the Muslim Seleka rebels and the Christian Anti-balaka militias. Over one million people have been displaced, and violence continues in several regions.

• Foreign Involvement: Russian Wagner mercenaries, UN peacekeeping troops, and Rwandan forces help maintain security but face criticism for human rights abuses.
• Peace Deals: Touadera signed agreements with some armed groups, but their longevity remains uncertain post-election.

Poverty and Economic Challenges

Despite CAR’s rich resources—gold, diamonds, uranium, and crude oil—the nation remains among the world’s poorest.

• Over 60% of citizens live in poverty, with most surviving on subsistence farming.
• Access to electricity (16%) and internet (7.5%) remains extremely limited.
• Economic growth averages only 1.5% annually, with frequent fuel shortages affecting daily life.

Divisive Politics and Governance

Political instability and fragmented opposition have created an environment where democratic institutions are weak.

• Fears persist that Touadera may attempt to extend his rule indefinitely following the 2023 constitutional changes.
• Allegations of vote manipulation and biased election preparations have heightened skepticism among voters and international observers.

Why This Election Matters

The 2025 CAR elections are critical for the nation’s stability and democratic credibility. Citizens hope for leadership that can reduce violence, improve the economy, and unify the country, while critics warn of potential authoritarian consolidation under Touadera.

With high stakes involving security, governance, and economic development, this election could shape the CAR’s trajectory for decades to come.