Central African Republic Ruling Party Nominates Touadera Third-Term Bid

Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadera has announced his candidacy for a third term in the upcoming December 2025 elections, following his ruling party, the United Hearts Movement (MCU), officially nominating him. This bid became possible after a 2023 constitutional referendum abolished the two-term limit and extended presidential mandates from five to seven years. Since first taking office in 2016 and winning a second term in 2020, Touadera has focused on peace and national development amid ongoing conflict, supported by international forces including UN peacekeepers and Russian and Rwandan troops. Despite the country's rich natural resources, it remains deeply impoverished and unstable, with recent peace deals made with armed groups. Opposition parties and civil society have criticized the constitutional changes, fearing they could enable Touadera to remain in power indefinitely. The exact date for the December elections has yet to be announced.