Central African Republic Holds Presidential Elections with Rwandan Security Support

BANGUI -, December 28, 2025 - Citizens of the Central African Republic (CAR) went to the polls for the presidential election, with over 2.3 million registered voters participating. The election also includes votes for members of the National Assembly as well as provincial and municipal leaders.

Incumbent President Faustin-Archange Touadéra is seeking a third term, facing seven candidates, including former Prime Ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. Dologuélé finished second in the 2015 and 2020 elections, while Dondra served as Prime Minister from June 2021 to February 2022.

Touadéra, a former mathematics teacher turned politician, is widely expected to secure re-election. He previously served as Prime Minister under then-President François Bozizé from 2008 until 2013, when his government was overthrown by a rebel coalition. After a turbulent transition, Touadéra won the presidency in 2016, largely due to his perceived neutrality and lack of ties to armed groups such as Séléka and Anti-Balaka.

The current election has been conducted successfully, thanks in part to the Rwandan Armed Forces, who maintained security across key voting areas, performing tasks that would typically challenge United Nations peacekeeping operations. Touadéra is credited with helping restore stability to CAR through agreements and cooperation with Rwandan security forces.