The Central African Republic held presidential and legislative elections on Sunday for fear of violence after a campaign period marked by fighting between rebels and government forces.
The votes came out in large numbers in the capital, while in other parts of the country fewer people went to the polls due to fear of violence or boycotts from the rebel coalition. Some polling stations remained open late to allow more voters to vote. Despite the opposition’s calls to delay the vote amid uncertainty, the constitutional court rejected a postponement. President Faustin-Archange Touadera tried to reassure candidates and voters that the vote would be secure. This is the Central African country’s first election since a peace agreement was signed between the government and 14 rebel groups in February 2019, although fighting continues.
“The vote is a right, a right for Central Africans. Every person has the power in the country’s constitution … every citizen has the right to freely choose their leaders,” Touadera said after voting. “This is quite important for the Central African Republicans who are trying to get out of these times of crisis … the right way … for development, the well – being of our country and our people. It is democracy, it is the people’s free choice of leaders.” Touadera criticized the maintenance of Violence, saying it had wreaked havoc on the country and added that action would be taken accordingly.Three Burundi peacekeepers were killed and two others wounded on Friday by armed combatants.
The UN took back the city of Bambari last week from rebels. Rebel groups have also seized several cities near the capital Bangui and, after forming a coalition, boycotted the vote in some parts of the Central African Republic. The UN Special Representative for the Central African Republic, Mankeur Ndiaye, said he considered the election in the country’s capital a “success.” “We have observed that the process is going very well, with peace and quiet in Bangui. The population has gone out in large numbers to exercise their right to vote,” Ndiaye said. However, he said there were incidents in some regions where ballot boxes were burned and rebel groups tried to prevent people from voting.
Catherine Samba-Panza, who was the caretaker president of the Central African Republic from 2014 to 2016, voted. “I came to prove my determination in a context where there are many rumors. I voted and I encourage my children to vote,” she said. The presence of international forces reassured many voters, according to voter Ousmane Haroun. “The presence of MINUSCA (UN mission) troops reassures us,” he said. “There is security, and I think it will be a stimulus for the indecisive.” One of the main opposition candidates, Anicet Georges Dologuele, voted on Sunday in “We are determined to turn the Touadera era around,” he said, adding that in other parts of the Central African Republic, violence prevented voters from voting.
Many residents of the city of Bangassou in the southeast of the country fled because of the fighting, residents said. “My wife and children crossed to the other side of the bank against the Congo because of the violence,” said Christian Kombro, a teacher from the city. The government blames the unrest on former President Francois Bozize, who returned from exile a year ago and has been barred from running in the election. He has been accused of joining armed groups to destabilize the country and start a coup. Bozize on Sunday expressed his support for the coalition and their boycott of the vote.
“Stay at home, I beg you all … The organization of election selection is dedicated to its failure,” he said, demanding dialogue. Rwanda and Russia have each sent hundreds of troops to the country to support the government. to the President, including three women. More than 1,500 candidates go to 140 seats in the National Assembly. More than 1.86 million voters are registered, but more than 598,000 refugees in neighboring countries will not be able to vote, according to UN parties in the Democratic Opposition Coalition called COD-2020 last week said seven of its candidates withdrew from the election and cited the violence.
The parties wanted the vote to be delayed and claimed poor preparation and an electoral body influenced by the president. Experts warn of a strong chance of further violence if the opposition does not accept the election results. The mineral-rich Central African Republic has been the subject of deadly inter-religious and inter-municipal fighting since 2013, when predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels seized power from Bozize after long claiming marginalization. Opposition to the Seleka regime eventually led to mass executions of Muslims, with some beaten to death, mosques destroyed and tens of thousands forced out of the capital in 2014.
Despite a peace agreement from 2019 between the government and 14 rebel groups, intermittent violence and human rights violations have continued. The latest uncertainty began after the Constitutional Court rejected Bozize’s candidacy because he did not meet the requirement of “good morals”. Bozize, which seized power in a coup in 2003 and ruled until 2013, faces an international arrest warrant. for “crimes against humanity and encouragement of genocide.” He is also facing UN sanctions for his alleged role in supporting the anti-Balaka groups that opposed Seleka in 2013.
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