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Presidential elections set for Sunday
Voters in Guinea and the Central African Republic (CAR) will cast ballots on Sunday to elect presidents for seven-year terms, with both incumbents expected to secure outright victories in the first round.
Contrasting political landscapes
While both nations face elections, their political contexts differ sharply. The CAR, a landlocked and impoverished country, has endured decades of instability driven by armed groups with varied motives, from local grievances to political ambitions. Despite this, multi-party politics has persisted, with opposition and protests largely tolerated.
Guinea, on Africa's west coast, presents a different scenario. General Mamadi Doumbouya, who led the 2021 coup overthrowing President Alpha Condé, is now seeking to legitimize his rule through Sunday's vote. His campaign has dominated public spaces, with his image widespread in the capital, Conakry.
CAR's fragile progress
The CAR's government, based in the southern riverside capital of Bangui, has struggled to extend its authority to remote northern and eastern regions. However, recent years have seen signs of stabilization. Two major rebel groups have rejoined the peace process, disarming and demobilizing, while a hybrid national-international court continues to prosecute human rights violations.
President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a former mathematician and university vice-chancellor, initially positioned himself as a post-conflict consensus figure. Now seeking a third term after pushing through constitutional reforms to remove term limits, his candidacy has sparked opposition boycotts. Nonetheless, his main rival, Anicet-Georges Dologuélé, remains in the race, defying expectations.
Guinea's path to normalized rule
Guinea's election marks a return to constitutional governance after years of military rule, a development welcomed by the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas). Doumbouya's decision to hold elections contrasts with neighboring Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where juntas have resisted pressure to restore civilian rule and distanced themselves from Ecowas.
Despite Doumbouya's dominance in the campaign, his regime has faced criticism for human rights abuses, including the detention of activists and violent crackdowns on protests. However, his government's cooperation with Western partners, particularly France, and its handling of the trial for the 2009 stadium massacre-where 150 opposition supporters were killed-have softened international criticism.
International reactions and regional implications
Both elections are being closely watched by regional and international observers. In the CAR, Touadéra's bid for a third term has drawn mixed reactions. While some view it as a step toward stability, opponents argue it undermines democratic principles. International partners, including the UN and EU, have largely refrained from criticism, prioritizing stability amid ongoing conflicts in neighboring Sudan.
For Guinea, the election represents a rare positive development in a region shaken by coups and jihadist violence. Ecowas and European governments have cautiously welcomed the vote, despite concerns over the fairness of the process and Doumbouya's broken pledge that junta members would not participate.
What's next
Results from both elections are expected within days. In the CAR, Touadéra's victory could further consolidate his authority, while in Guinea, Doumbouya's win would formalize his transition from coup leader to elected president. Both outcomes will shape the political trajectories of their nations and influence regional dynamics in West and Central Africa.
