BANGUI, Central African Republic – President Faustin-Archange Touadéra officially submitted his candidacy for a controversial third presidential term on Thursday, October 3, 2025, becoming the first candidate to file for the December 28 general elections amid mounting opposition protests and international concerns over democratic backsliding in the conflict-torn nation.
Thousands of supporters from Touadéra’s ruling United Hearts Movement (MCU) party flooded the streets of Bangui, the capital, to accompany their leader to the National Elections Authority (ANE) headquarters. The massive show of support was orchestrated as a demonstration of political strength ahead of what promises to be one of the most contentious elections in the Central African Republic’s history.
Constitutional Controversy and Russian Influence
Touadéra’s third-term bid follows a controversial 2023 constitutional referendum that eliminated presidential term limits and extended the presidential mandate from five to seven years. The referendum, which passed with over 95% approval according to official results, was boycotted by opposition parties who denounced it as a “constitutional coup” designed to keep Touadéra in power indefinitely.
The electoral process has been overshadowed by the significant presence of Russian mercenaries, formerly known as the Wagner Group and now operating under various names including “Africa Corps”. These forces have served as Touadéra’s personal security detail since 2018 and played a crucial role in maintaining his grip on power while also engaging in extensive disinformation campaigns across social media platforms.
Russian-backed propaganda operations have flooded Central African social media spaces with pro-government content while systematically targeting opposition voices. The operations include hiring local influencers and journalists to spread disinformation, establishing pro-Russian media outlets, and deploying sophisticated social media manipulation tactics that have become a blueprint for Russian influence operations across Africa.
Opposition Resistance and Street Protests
The opposition Republican Bloc for the Defense of the Constitution (BRDC), a coalition of political parties and civil society groups, has vehemently opposed Touadéra’s third-term ambitions. In April 2025, nearly 5,000 protesters, predominantly young people, marched through Bangui carrying banners reading “Stop the Third Term,” marking one of the largest opposition demonstrations in recent years.
However, opposition activities have faced systematic suppression. In June 2025, violent clashes erupted when government-backed groups disrupted an opposition rally at a football stadium in Bangui, leaving two people dead. The BRDC accused the ruling MCU party of orchestrating the violence to intimidate political opponents ahead of the elections.
Opposition leader Anicet Georges Dologuélé, a former prime minister who previously challenged Touadéra in the 2020 elections, has been forced to renounce his French citizenship to remain eligible to participate in the December polls. Despite this sacrifice, opposition parties continue to threaten a complete boycott of the elections, citing concerns about the fairness and independence of the electoral process.
The opposition has consistently demanded meaningful political dialogue with Touadéra, proposing African mediation for the talks. However, the government has rejected these proposals, agreeing only to a government-led dialogue process that excludes direct presidential participation.
