Central African Republic election marred by constraints and UN calls for peace

In the Central African Republic election scheduled for 28 December 2025, opposition candidates have reported significant constraints on campaign activities amid preparations involving polling official training and international calls for peaceful conduct. Opposition figures said obstacles included blocked campaign travel and restricted access to voters, while the National Electoral Authority trained over 1.000 election officers to support credibility. The United Nations Secretary-General urged all stakeholders to refrain from actions that could incite violence or undermine the electoral process in a context marked by deep political divisions and long-running instability that continues to shape public participation.

Political Campaign Constraints

On 26 December 2025, opposition leaders in Bangui and other regions reported constraints on campaign activities ahead of the Central African Republic election on 28 December. Georges Dologuélé, a key opposition candidate, said he was prevented from holding a rally at the Bouar stadium, an incident he described as obstruction of democratic engagement. Former Prime Minister and presidential candidate Henri-Marie Dondra reported an encounter in which members of the presidential military reportedly blocked an aircraft he had booked for regional campaign travel, which he said hindered his efforts to present his platform to voters outside major cities (Africanews).

The ruling party, United Hearts Movement (hereinafter: MCU), dismissed these claims, asserting that opposition figures were campaigning freely and rejecting allegations of state obstruction. The party’s spokesperson, Evariste Ngamana, characterised the allegations as politically motivated and unfounded (Africanews).

Political analysts have highlighted structural barriers beyond specific incidents, including limited financial resources for opposition campaigns and logistical challenges such as poor internet connectivity and constrained access to air transport. These factors affect the ability of candidates to engage with voters across the nation, especially in rural and remote areas where infrastructure remains underdeveloped.

Electoral Preparations and Training

As part of preparations for the Central African Republic election, the National Electoral Authority has trained more than 1.000 election officers to serve at polling stations across the territory. The training, supported by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (hereinafter: MINUSCA), took place in the commune of Bimbo and covered roles essential to the conduct of voting, including station presidents and assessment teams (TrendsnAfrica)

In a statement released during the training period, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on national authorities and political actors to refrain from any action that could incite violence or undermine the credibility of the vote. His message highlighted the importance of peaceful conduct and the perceived need for integrity in the electoral process, given ongoing concerns about political tensions and security conditions.

The emphasis on training officials reflects broader concerns about the integrity of staffing at polling locations, with previous reports citing incomplete voter lists and insufficiently trained poll workers in areas outside the capital. International observers and rights groups have underscored the need for competent election personnel to manage procedures and maintain confidence in the process.

Security and International Context

The Central African Republic election takes place against a backdrop of enduring instability and a fragile security environment. Despite peace agreements with armed groups and the presence of MINUSCA forces nationwide, armed conflict and displacement persist in some regions, complicating political participation and mobility.

Security forces from foreign states also operate within the broader environment of electoral preparations. For instance, the Sri Lanka Air Force contingents stationed in the Central African Republic under United Nations command received commendation from UN Headquarters for their performance in peacekeeping operations, according to Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe. The commendation underscores the role of international contributions to stabilisation efforts during the electoral period (Daily News)

Opposition Positions and Public Response

Opposition political figures have expressed concern that constraints on campaigning and the limited timeframe for outreach could skew voter awareness and choice. These positions are set against reports of political tension in Bangui and throughout the nation as election day approaches, with calls from civil society groups for a peaceful, orderly vote.

Observers have noted that the broader political landscape includes divisions within major parties and debates over governance structures. As part of this context, the main opposition coalition announced a boycott of parts of the process earlier in the campaign cycle, citing perceived advantages held by incumbent leadership and institutional actors.

Concluding Forecast

The Central African Republic election on 28 December 2025 presents some trajectories for the nation’s upcoming election. The immediate concern is the logistical and organisational conduct of the vote itself. The training of over 1.000 election officers aims to support procedural consistency at polling stations. However, the effectiveness of these preparations will depend on the ability of election staff to implement established protocols under conditions marked by infrastructure challenges and sporadic insecurity.

A second trajectory relates to the conduct of political actors. The reported constraints on opposition campaign activity would highlight potential disparities in access to electoral platforms if proven to be true. If such constraints persist, they may influence voter information levels and perceptions of fairness. This could affect turnout patterns and confidence in results, particularly in rural zones that depend on functional transport and communication networks.

In the theoretical context, the reported difficulties and questions around the elections in the Central African Republic once more stress that political systems are not universally applicable. Simple representative democracies are not designed to function in systems with physical and infrastructural hurdles. To increase public sovereignty, each state needs to craft a political system to its unique properties and adapt with ongoing development.