Elections in the Central African Republic are Scheduled for December 28 Amid Ties to Russia

Amid rising reliance on Russia for security amid concerns about armed groups, the Central African Republic will hold parliamentary and presidential elections on December 28. After term limits were eliminated in a 2023 constitutional referendum, President Faustin-Archange Touadét, who has been in office since 2016, is regarded as the front-runner to win a third term. Thousands of people participated in the street demonstrations that followed his decision to seek for office again earlier this year.

Although Touadæ is one of Russia’s closest partners in Africa, tensions have arisen this year due to Moscow’s desire that the Russian military unit Africa Corps take the place of the Wagner private mercenary force. Conflicts between armed groups and pro-government forces have long plagued this landlocked nation of about 5.5 million people.

The president was forced to step down in 2013 after a group of mostly Muslim insurgents took control. Six of the fourteen armed groups engaged later withdrew when a peace deal was announced in 2019. Human Rights Watch claims that in recent months, the Central African government has reached peace accords with armed groups, bringing about a level of stability not seen in years.

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