| Country: | Central African Republic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Previous Election: | 2015–16 Central African general election | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Next Election: | 2025 Central African general election | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Next Year: | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Election Date: | 27 December 2020 (first round) 14 March 2021 (second round) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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General elections were held in the Central African Republic on 27 December 2020 to elect the President and National Assembly.[1] [2] A second round of the legislative elections was originally scheduled to take place on 14 February 2021.[3]
Voting was not able to take place in many areas of the country that are controlled by armed groups resulting in some Central African media and opposition candidates describing the elections as a farce and fraud.[4] [5] Some 800 of the country's polling stations, 14% of the total, were closed due to violence.[6] During the first round, voting did not take place in 29 of 71 sub-prefectures, while in six others only a partial vote took place before being shut down due to voter intimidation.[7]
Incumbent president Faustin-Archange Touadéra was re-elected with 53% of the vote. Turnout was 35% of registered voters.
On 13 February 2021 Touadéra announced a second round of elections in some areas and a new first round in areas that were controlled by rebels during the December elections. Respective elections for all areas were held on 14 March.[8]
The previous presidential elections were the first to be held under the 2015 constitution, which established the 6th Republic. Faustin-Archange Touadéra won the elections, and took office on 30 March 2016.
Several obstacles affected the election process. The December 2020 election took place during the Covid-19 pandemic, prompting fears of possible postponement. However, the constitution prohibits any further extension of the term of the incumbent president beyond his term of office, which for Touadéra is 29 March 2021. The government attempted to amend the constitution,[9] but the draft was rejected by the Constitutional Court on 5 June 2020.[10] In addition, the country is also still subject to a UN peacekeeping operation, MINUSCA, while two-thirds of the country is controlled by rebellious armed groups.[11] [12]
In early September, the Constitutional Court gave the National Elections Authority (ANE) until 27 September to publish an updated voter registry.[13] On 10 September, the opposition and several civil society groups publicly observed that the election would probably be delayed; in the event that the presidential and parliamentary terms would be extended, they demanded the formation of a unity government.[14] For its part, the ANE announced that the registration of voters would be delayed until 8 October due to technical issues, but that the vote would not be postponed.[15] The first round remained set for 27 December 2020 by the ANE.[16]
The President of the Central African Republic is elected by a two-round system for a five-year term, renewable only once. The candidate who receives an absolute majority of the votes cast in the first ballot is elected. If no majority is secured, a runoff is held between the top two candidates to decide the winner.[17] [18]
On 3 December 2020, the Constitutional Court of Central African Republic accepted 17 candidatures for presidential elections:
Five candidatures were rejected, including that of former president François Bozizé.[19] He had announced his candidacy on 25 July 2020.[20]
The rebel group Return, Reclamation, Rehabilitation banned voter registration for the elections in Koui and Ngaoundaye.[21]
On 6 August 2020 UPC banned voter registration from taking in place in Bambouti in Haut-Mbomou demanding ransom.[22] As of 15 October only 700 people were able to register to vote in Haut-Mbomou prefecture as a result of UPC and LRA presence in region.[23]
The leaders of Return, Reclamation, Rehabilitation announced a coalition for the general election, a move that increased tensions ahead of the election, where the opposition feared massive voter fraud. The armed groups named themselves the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) and invited other armed groups to join, while urging them to protect the integrity of civilians.[24] Their aim was to pressure the government into postponing the elections.[25] [26] The coalition fought against MINUSCA peacekeepers as well as Russian and Rwandan troops until a ceasefire was declared on 23 December.
On 25 December, two days before the elections, unidentified armed gunmen attacked national security forces and international peacekeepers serving with the UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic in Dékoa, central Kémo Prefecture, and Bakouma, southern Mbomou Prefecture. Three Burundian peacekeepers were killed and an additional two were wounded. The attack occurred hours after a rebel coalition fighting the government called off a unilateral truce and reiterated calls for the suspension of the election.[27] [28]
The attacks on the peacekeepers followed a general surge in violence across the Central African Republic, over the past few weeks, during which aid workers and properties have also been attacked. The insecurity and fear of violence has led to more than 55,000 people fleeing their homes.
During the first round, voting was unable to take place in 29 of the 71 sub-prefectures according to Augustin Yangana-Yahote, the Minister for Territorial Administration. Six others only managed to partially vote before being shut down due to voter intimidation.
Observers noted possible irregularities in the conduct of the election. An observer group reported that a large number of voters cast ballots with letters of exemption in Bangui. The procedure allows voters to cast their ballot elsewhere than the polling station where they are registered. According to the Rainbow Network, 81 percent of the votes were cast in this manner. Coordinating member of the same network, Origine Bekondi said, "Three days before the end of the mandate of the members of the ANE (the National Elections Authority), the president of the ANE proceeded to issue deregistration certificates to voters who had voted massively."[29]
According to provisional results announced on 4 January by the National Elections Authority, Faustin-Archange Touadéra was re-elected for a second term with 53.92 percent of the vote. Anicet-Georges Dologuélé came second. Turnout among registered voters was 76.3%.[30]
On 18 January, the Constitutional Court confirmed President Faustin Archange Touadera's victory with 53.16% of the vote but said turnout was 35.25%. Anicet Georges Dologuele had 21.69%. The court rejected a suit filed by 13 of the 16 other candidates, who argued that Touadera's victory was the result of "massive fraud" and insecurity. They annulled or revised the results from certain polling stations because of irregularities but said the impact could not have affected the overall outcome. Chief Judge Danièle Darlan declared, "Part of the Central African people, who are at war, were prevented by acts of terror... and despite this, the people sent a strong and clear message to those who were terrorising them, to those who were telling them not to vote, and to the whole world."[31]
A coalition opposition political party, COD 2020, accused the U.N.'s representative, Mankeur Ndiaye, of favouring Touadera but did not present evidence.[31] The streets of Bangui were far quieter than usual, and many people said they feared rebel attacks. Rebels had attacked a location on the city's outskirts before being pushed back on 13 January.[31] Since December 2020, 60,000 people have fled the violence, many seeking refuge in the Democratic Republic of Congo.[31]
| Constituency | Election date | Elected member | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1er arrondissement | First round (20 December) | Henri-Matie Dondra | United Hearts Movement | |
| 2e arrondissement 1 | Second round (14 March) | Gabriel Mairie Raoul Follot | Central African Democratic Rally | |
| 2e arrondissement 2 | Second round (14 March) | Mathurin Massikini | Central African Democratic Rally | |
| 3e arrondissement 1 | Second round (23 May) | Zacharie Yaou Mafour | Independent (Action Party for Development) | |
| 3e arrondissement 2 | Second round (23 May) | Ibrahim Ould Alhissene Algon | United Hearts Movement | |
| 3e arrondissement 3 | Second round (14 March) | Rachel Yassindali | Independent | |
| 4e arrondissement 1 | Second round (14 March) | Ephrem Dominique Yandocka | Transformation through Action Initiative | |
| 4e arrondissement 2 | Second round (14 March) | Louis Roi Nguehoroum | Union for Central African Renewal | |
| 5e arrondissement 1 | Second round (14 March) | Louis Albert Goni | United Hearts Movement | |
| 5e arrondissement 2 | Second round (14 March) | Ernest Konguere | United Hearts Movement | |
| 5e arrondissement 3 | Second round (14 March) | Amédée Negba Kpingo | Renaissance for Sustainable Development | |
| 6e arrondissement 1 | Second round (14 March) | José Titus Ngoungbo | Central African Democratic Rally | |
| 6e arrondissement 2 | Second round (14 March) | Dominique Kakara Guerengbo | Independent | |
| 7e arrondissement | First round (20 December) | Christian Limbio Tekpe | Independent | |
| 8e arrondissement 1 | Second round (14 March) | Thierry Ndomadji Legon Ndoyo | Independent | |
| 8e arrondissement 2 | Second round (14 March) | Guy Samuel Nganatoua | Independent | |
| Abba | Second round (23 May) | Marc Issa | National Convergence "Kwa Na Kwa" | |
| Alindao 1 | Second round (23 May) | Virginie-Béatrice Bandéko | United Hearts Movement | |
| Alindao 2 | Second round (23 May) | Geoffroy Noël Tagba | United Hearts Movement | |
| Amada-Gaza | Second round (23 May) | Ousmane Gbalassoundou | National Convergence "Kwa Na Kwa" | |
| Baboua 1 | First round (14 March) | Laurent Ngon Baba | Action Party for Development | |
| Baboua 2 | First round (14 March) | Luc Ninga | Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People | |
| Bakala | First round (20 December) | Dorothée Tiyangou | National Union for Democracy and Progress | |
| Bakouma | Second round (25 July) | Gabin Dieudonne Mbolifouefele | United Hearts Movement | |
| Bambari 1 | Second round (23 May) | Rachel Ngakola | Central Africa for Us All | |
| Bambari 2 | Second round (23 May) | Aubin Amasseka Amoudou | United Hearts Movement | |
| Bambari 3 | Second round (23 May) | Anatole Ndemagouda Gbago | United Hearts Movement | |
| Bambari 4 | Second round (23 May) | Ali Saleh | United Hearts Movement | |
| Bambio 1 | Second round (14 March) | Aristide Goundissa | United Hearts Movement | |
| Bambouti | First round (20 December) | Bernard Gbissigui Anioue | National Convergence "Kwa Na Kwa" | |
| Bamingui | Second round (14 March) | Francisco Moundjouvouko | Path of Hope | |
| Bangassou 1 | Second round (14 March) | Maurice Bazzambo-Ngbongo | Independent | |
| Bangassou 2 | Second round (14 March) | Samuel Nzoungou | United Hearts Movement | |
| Baoro 1 | First round (14 March) | Simplice Sarandji | United Hearts Movement | |
| Batangafo 1 | Second round (23 May) | Jean De Dieu Damarass-Damangueré | United Hearts Movement | |
| Batangafo 2 | Second round (23 May) | Carmen Ducas | Independent | |
| Bayanga | First round (20 December) | David Bernadette Gomina Pampali | National Union of Republican Democrats | |
| Berbérati 1 | Second round (14 March) | Jean Sosthène Dengbe | Independent | |
| Berbérati 2 | Second round (14 March) | Clément Ndombe | United Hearts Movement | |
| Berbérati 3 | First round (20 December) | Thierry Kamach | National Movement of Independents | |
| Berbérati 4 | First round (20 December) | André Nalké Dorogo | Union for Central African Renewal | |
| Bimbo 1 | Second round (14 March) | Rufin Brice Molomadon | Movement for Democracy and Development | |
| Bimbo 2 | Second round (14 March) | Henry Josée Gbogouda | Independent | |
| Bimbo 3 | Second round (14 March) | Joseph Bendounga | Democratic Movement for the Renaissance and Evolution of Central Africa | |
| Bimbo 4 | Second round (14 March) | Virginie Baïkoua | United Hearts Movement | |
| Bimbo 5 | Second round (14 March) | Annie Molomadon | Movement for Democracy and Development | |
| Birao 1 | Second round (14 March) | Daniel Andal Djouma | Independent | |
| Birao 2 | Second round (14 March) | Dekalve Chengaba Rossni | United Hearts Movement | |
| Boali 1 | First round (14 March) | Firmin Ngrébada | United Hearts Movement | |
| Bocaranga 1 | First round (14 March) | Anicet-Georges Dologuélé | Union for Central African Renewal | |
| Bocaranga 2 | Second round (23 May) | Fidèle Pandjikane | United Hearts Movement | |
| Bocaranga 3 | First round (14 March) | Martin Ziguélé | Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People | |
| Boda | Second round (23 May) | Narcisse Dambalé | Independent | |
| Boganangone | Second round (23 May) | Patrice Oféing Ali | National Convergence "Kwa Na Kwa" | |
| Boganda 1 | First round (14 March) | Michel Yembe | National Convergence "Kwa Na Kwa" | |
| Bogangolo | Second round (23 May) | Jean Galvanis Gassiyombo | Independent | |
| Bossangoa 1 | First round (14 March) | Jean Barkes Ngombe-Kette | Independent | |
| Bossangoa 2 | Second round (23 May) | Christiane Dorazze Séréfessene | Independent | |
| Bossangoa 3 | First round (14 March) | Emilie Bernadette Gambo, Née Souaninzi | United Hearts Movement | |
| Bossangoa 4 | First round (14 March) | Marie Brigitte Bozeze | National Convergence "Kwa Na Kwa" | |
| Bossembélé | Second round (23 May) | William Séraphin Wabem Mbeté | National Movement of Independents | |
| Bossemptélé 1 | First round (14 March) | Jacques Ngaina | National Convergence "Kwa Na Kwa" | |
| Bouar 1 | Second round (23 May) | Fleury Junior Pabandji | United Hearts Movement | |
| Bouar 2 | Second round (23 May) | Salamatou Be-yamissi Sana | United Hearts Movement | |
| Bouar 3 | First round (14 March) | Georges Yalakanga | National Convergence "Kwa Na Kwa" | |
| Bouar 4 | Second round (23 May) | Jonas Donon | Action Party for Development | |
| Bouca 1 | First round (20 December) | Justin Gourna Zako | United Hearts Movement | |
| Bouca 2 | Second round (14 March) | Jean-Bosco Namtoua-Koussi Guidomon | Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People | |
| Bozoum 1 | Second round (25 July) | Gervais Nguerekane | Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People | |
| Bozoum 2 | Second round (25 July) | Iledefonse Maurin Doui Gomhayama | Independent | |
| Bria 1 | First round (20 December) | Max Sylvain Balenda | Independent | |
| Bria 2 | Second round (23 May) | Jacques Tafago | Union for Central African Renewal | |
| Carnot 1 | First round (14 March) | Evariste Ngamana | Independent | |
| Carnot 2 | Second round (23 May) | Vivien Hervé Gaba | Independent | |
| Carnot 3 | Second round (14 March) | Jean Robert Gotao | Party for Democratic Governance | |
| Damara 1 | Second round (14 March) | Nestor Nali Mamadou | United Hearts Movement | |
| Dédé-Makouba 1 | Second round (14 March) | Serge Alain Liguela Mboutou | Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People | |
| Dekoa | Second round (25 July) | Serge Frederic Yologaza | Independent | |
| Djemah | First round (20 December) | Hermane Lambert Akovourou | African Party for Radical Transformation and Integration of States | |
| Gadzi 1 | Second round (25 July) | Trixi Serge Bapeh | United Hearts Movement | |
| Gadzi 2 | Second round (25 July) | Ingkossi Jansen Wandoui So | Independent | |
| Gambo 1 | Second round (14 March) | Michel Kpingo | United Hearts Movement | |
| Gamboula 1 | Second round (14 March) | Tefal Kolou | United Hearts Movement | |
| Grimari 1 | First round (20 December) | Sédar Sall Karim | United Hearts Movement | |
| Ippy 1 | First round (14 March) | Francis Rufin Ouatende | National Convergence "Kwa Na Kwa" | |
| Ippy 2 | Second round (23 May) | Christophe Arsène Wapou | United Hearts Movement | |
| Kabo 1 | Second round (23 May) | Chantal Merveille Tohomane | United Hearts Movement | |
| Kabo 2 | Second round (23 May) | Hugues Abdjaz Ndolingar | Path of Hope | |
| Kaga-Bandoro 1 | Second round (23 May) | Valérie Claude Bifane | Independent | |
| Kaga-Bandoro 2 | Second round (14 March) | Arme Birot | Kodro Ti Mo Kozo Si Movement | |
| Kaga-Bandoro 3 | Second round (23 May) | Simon Dangavo | Path of Hope | |
| Kembé | First round (20 December) | Assindaka Didace | Independent | |
| Kouango 1 | Second round (23 May) | Barthelemy Louis-Marie Zoumara | Independent | |
| Kouango 2 | Second round (23 May) | Sylvain Marandji | Socialist Party | |
| Koui | Second round (23 May) | Dahirou Mohamadou | United Hearts Movement | |
| Mala1 | First round (14 March) | Marthe Lakonte-Gaomeda | United Hearts Movement | |
| Markounda 1 | First round (14 March) | Emilie Béatrice Epaye | Independent | |
| Mbaïki 1 | Second round (14 March) | Brice Kevin Kakpayen | Independent | |
| Mbaïki 2 | Second round (14 March) | Jean Thalhys Bangue | Renaissance for Sustainable Development | |
| Mbaïki 3 | First round (20 December) | Hassan Akhras | Independent | |
| Mbaïki 4 | First round (20 December) | Jean Claude Ngonga | United Hearts Movement | |
| Mbaïki 5 | First round (20 December) | Magloire Jocelyn Makango | United Hearts Movement | |
| Mbrès | Second round (23 May) | Thomas Rabé | National Movement of Independents | |
| Mingala | Second round (23 May) | Firmin Endjizémo | Independent | |
| Mobaye 1 | Second round (14 March) | Aurélien Simplice Kongbelet-Zingas | Party for Democracy and Solidarity–Kélémba | |
| Mobaye 2 | First round (20 December) | Heureux Maxime Ngarendo | Independent | |
| Mobaye 3 | Second round (14 March) | Henri Mylla Vigner | National Movement of Independents | |
| Mongoumba 1 | Second round (14 March) | Joseph Ngoïta | United Hearts Movement | |
| N'Délé 1 | Second round (14 March) | Alime Aziza Soumaine | United Hearts Movement | |
| N'Délé 2 | First round (20 December) | François Moussa Yakota | Party for Democratic Governance | |
| Nana-Bakassa 1 | Second round (25 July) | Marie-Christiane Patassé | New Impetus for Central Africa | |
| Nana-Bakassa 2 | Second round (23 May) | Sylvain-Eugène Ngakoutou-Patassé | New Impetus for Central Africa | |
| Nanga-Boguila | Second round (23 May) | Auguste Dokoane | Independent | |
| Ndjoukou | Second round (23 May) | Jean-Claude Komia Sambia | Independent | |
| Ngaoundaye 1 | First round (14 March) | Bernard Dillah | Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People | |
| Ngaoundaye 2 | First round (14 March) | Antoine Koirokpi | Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People | |
| Ngaoundaye 3 | Second round (23 May) | Ernest Bonang | Union for Central African Renewal | |
| Nola 1 | Second round (14 March) | Pélagie Ngaïndiro | National Convergence "Kwa Na Kwa" | |
| Nola 2 | First round (20 December) | Marien Diodonné Djema | National Movement of Independents | |
| Nola 3 | Second round (14 March) | Sylvain Bombo | Independent | |
| Obo 1 | First round (20 December) | Ernest Mizédio | Union for Central African Renewal | |
| Obo 2 | Second round (14 March) | Albert Guinimonguimi | Union for Central African Renewal | |
| Ouadda 1 | Second round (14 March) | Abdel-Karim Nabia Koundjou | United Hearts Movement | |
| Ouanda Djallé 1 | Second round (14 March) | Idriss Sende Adam | Independent | |
| Ouango 1 | Second round (14 March) | Théophile Ngonda | Alliance for Democracy and Progress | |
| Ouango 2 | Second round (14 March) | Rodrigue Yvon Brice Sialo Ngboda | Central African Democratic Rally | |
| Paoua 1 | Second round (14 March) | Lucien Mbaîgoto | National Movement of Independents | |
| Paoua 2 | Second round (23 May) | Timoléon Mbaïkoua | Central African Party for Integrated Development | |
| Paoua 3 | Second round (14 March) | Romain Penendji-lami-ya | United Hearts Movement | |
| Paoua 4 | First round (20 December) | Percus Kette | Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People | |
| Paoua 5 | Second round (23 May) | Emmanuel Mamya | United Hearts Movement | |
| Rafaï | First round (20 December) | Dieudonné Gbiatou | African Party for Radical Transformation and Integration of States | |
| Satema 1 | Second round (14 March) | Vidal De Bon Coeur Siopathis | Central African Democratic Rally | |
| Sibut | Second round (23 May) | Félix Yangakola | Independent | |
| Sosso-Nakombo 1 | Second round (14 March) | Achanga Bertrand Nakombo | National Movement of Independents | |
| Yalinga 1 | First round (14 March) | Richard Gonguere | United Hearts Movement | |
| Yaloké 1 | Second round (23 May) | Auguste Boukanga | Union for Renaissance and Development | |
| Yaloké 2 | Second round (23 May) | Richard Steve Toranga | United Hearts Movement | |
| Zangba | Second round (23 May) | Hissène Hamat | Independent | |
| Zémio | First round (20 December) | Eric Gervais Kpiodigui | African Party for Radical Transformation and Integration of States | |
| Source: Journal de Bangui, LANOCA | ||||
Former president Bozizé, who had been barred from running, was put under investigation after the results were announced; he was accused of aiding the armed coalitions that attempted to disrupt the election.[32] His location was unknown in early January, amid accusations by the UN that he was colluding with the rebels.[33]
After the publication of the results, Dologuele told AFP that the electoral process was a farce.[34] According to local journalist Fridolin Ngoulou, however, Mr Touadéra's victory was likely to prove lasting. Ngoulou commented: "Touadéra's vote was the expression of people fed up with armed groups who want to impose a setback for democracy. Touadéra will retain power as the entire international community supports these elections."[33]
Fighting between rebel groups and the CAR's national army has continued around the country since the election. The rebels declared an intent to take the war to Bangui, but a combination of the army, UN peacekeepers and Russian troops have prevented them from doing so.[33]