Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has been declared the winner of the country’s presidential election with 76.15% of the vote, provisional results released by the National Elections Authority (ANE) showed on Monday, a result that opponents immediately challenged as a sham.
Touadéra’s closest challenger, former prime minister Anicet-Georges Dologuélé, placed second with 14.66%, while another former premier, Henri-Marie Dondra, finished third with 3.19%, according to the ANE.
In remarks echoing his campaign message, Touadéra portrayed his approach as one of dialogue and outreach to armed groups, arguing that engagement was helping the country regain stability after years of conflict.
The vote, held on Dec. 28, 2025, was billed as an unprecedented “all-at-once” election in the country, with citizens casting ballots not only for the presidency but also for legislative, regional and municipal seats. About 2.4 million people were registered to vote and turnout was 52.42%, the authorities said.
However, the outcome is already headed for legal review. Dologuélé and another opposition candidate have filed challenges, citing alleged malpractice by the electoral authority and widespread fraud, while opposition figures also questioned the credibility of the process after campaigning restrictions and claims of an uneven playing field. Touadéra’s office rejected the accusations and warned that inflammatory claims could trigger unrest. African Union observers said the polls were conducted peacefully.
Final results are expected later this month after appeals are reviewed. Reuters reported the Constitutional Court has until Jan. 20 to finalise the outcome.
Touadéra’s victory extends a presidency that began in 2016 and was enabled to continue after a 2023 referendum removed presidential term limits. Analysts say he has steadily consolidated power within state institutions, even as security remains fragile.
The Central African Republic has been mired in instability since 2013, when predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels seized power and forced President François Bozizé out, fueling a wider conflict later eased by a 2019 peace deal with armed groups—some of which later withdrew.
Security also intersects with foreign influence: Russian mercenaries from Wagner have long provided close protection and military support to Touadéra, though tensions have risen as Moscow pushes to replace Wagner with the state-run African Corps. Rwanda also maintains an influential security presence. Meanwhile, the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSCA faces a drawdown pressure amid UN financial constraints.
