Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra Wins Third Term

Faustin-Archange Touadéra has secured a third term as president of the Central African Republic, provisional results released by the electoral commission showed on Monday following the December 28 vote.

The result indicates that Touadéra won an outright majority, with the electoral authority reporting that he received more than three-quarters of the ballots cast. Voter turnout stood at just over half of registered electors, reflecting ongoing security and political challenges in the nation.

Touadéra, 68, who has led the country for a decade, was able to run for a third consecutive term after a 2023 constitutional referendum removed presidential term limits. His campaign emphasised stability and security in a country long affected by armed conflict and political fragmentation.

Opposition candidates, including former prime ministers, rejected the outcome and alleged irregularities in the electoral process, though authorities dismissed such claims and said they would proceed with formal validation. The Constitutional Court has until mid-January to confirm the final results and address any legal challenges.

Analysts say Touadéra’s victory is likely to shape the nation’s engagement with regional and international partners, even as security concerns and efforts to consolidate peace remain central to political discourse.

SOURCE: Reuters