Democracy in CAR

CAR’s incumbent president, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, was re-elected in December 2020 with approximately 53% of the vote amid widespread violence and disruption. The Constitutional Court upheld his victory—even after opposition candidates and civil society groups labeled the vote a “farce”—but turnout was extremely low at 35%, with many polling stations shut in rebel-controlled regions. In the legislative elections held simultaneously, Touadéra’s United Hearts Movement (MCU) became the dominant party. Despite ongoing conflict, the MCU captured a majority of National Assembly seats, while opposition parties boycotted the process.